Gareth Southgate has shocked the nation with a bizarre comment about a West Ham man after the drab Denmark draw.
England were fortunate not to lose as they drew 1-1 with Denmark at Euro 2024.
There was another appearance for West Ham star Jarrod Bowen who came on after 65 minutes with the Three Lions struggling.
But Hammers hearts were in mouths moments later when Bowen turned his ankle slipping on the awful Frankfurt pitch as it kept tearing up.
West Ham’s star man was left hobbling and in visible discomfort. The Hammer of the Year was not the same afterwards and it clearly affected his turning and acceleration.
To make matters worse he was then hit by a crunching challenge too.
No West Ham stars no party for England
Not that he saw much of the ball anyway due to Denmark being on top and pushing for a winner.
England were extremely poor and had little control of the game. Former West Ham captain Declan Rice also arguably had his worst game for the Three Lions in central midfield.
The experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Rice in the middle of the park simply is not working.
Many West Ham fans are feeling a serious sense of deja vu watching England with Gareth Southgate’s tactics and risk averse approach being compared to that of David Moyes.
The similarities are there for all to see and it is making England – like West Ham – a tough watch. That’s despite the Three Lions – again like the Hammers – possessing some quality attacking talent.
Southgate leaves fans baffled with his insistence on playing two defensive midfielders. Even against teams like Serbia and Denmark where it’s simply not necessary.
But Southgate has shocked the nation with a bizarre comment about a West Ham man after the game.
And he has invited intense ridicule with what he said.
Southgate shocks nation with comment about West Ham flop
Speaking after the draw Southgate conceded the performances have not been up to scratch.
When asked to explain why, Southgate left 56 million people aghast when he claimed England are finding it difficult to replace one of the biggest flops in West Ham history – Kalvin Phillips.
“We don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips,” Southgate said.
Phillips was a walking disaster on loan for West Ham from Man City last season.
Many Hammers fans believe his signing was one of the major reasons they slipped out of the European places to finish ninth.
Phillips is still under contract at West Ham until the end of June.
While West Ham are yet to confirm it, there is no doubt they will not be trying to make the loan permanent and will send him back to Man City.
Absence of West Ham’s worst player the reason for struggles?
Southgate’s comment was made all the more odd by the fact Phillips’ last appearance for his country came in November 2023.
It invited instant ridicule too. Not only from West Ham fans but legions of England supporters making memes about the comment on social media.
Southgate has been savaged by the press for using the absence of the Hammers’ worst player as a reason to explain England’s stuggles.
Speaking on ITV after the match, former West Ham striker Ian Wright said he couldn’t believe Southgate mentioned Hammers flop Phillips.
And he says Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton could play the role.
The comment comes after Gary Neville said earlier this week that Southgate made a mistake not calling up West Ham’s worst flop since Roberto.
His rationale being that the best players don’t always make the best teams.
“You start to think about the impact and influence of Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“The best players don’t make the best team sometimes.”