England delivered yet another disappointing performance at Euro 2024 as they drew 0-0 with Slovenia in their final group game, with Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice continuing in their starting roles.
England have been criticised for their performances in the group stage, but Arsenal star Declan Rice hit back at critics heading into the final game.
Rice highlighted the difference between playing under Mikel Arteta and Gareth Southgate in midfield, pointing out the difficulty of starting at the base of the trio when his team are not pressing higher up the pitch.
This was evident yet again, as despite performing fairly well on an individual level, Rice and England struggled to have their desired impact when in possession, particularly in the first half, and this came directly as a result of decisions made by Southgate.
Declan Rice delivers improved performance for England in difficult circumstances
Rice was poor against Denmark, as he was isolated in midfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham pushing higher up the pitch.
On an individual level, he was far from his usual self, and Rice even admitted that he was frustrated with his own display.
Despite facing the same issues as in the Denmark game, Rice was more secure on the ball, completing 91% of his passes, with eight of these going into the final third, and completing all three of his attempted long balls. Whilst he did not progress the ball in the same manner as Jorginho has at Arsenal, it was an improvement on his previous display.
Conor Gallagher was selected as the only change from the Denmark draw, replacing Alexander-Arnold in midfield, and this may have been to help support Rice at the base of midfield. However, the way he was deployed led to more problems.
Gareth Southgate England midfield decisions stifled Declan Rice before Kobbie Mainoo substitution
Both Bellingham and Gallagher pushed forward, leaving Rice isolated at the base of midfield again. In the first half, Gallagher completed just 17 passes, and England struggled to build anything from the middle of the park.
Rice endeavoured to drive the ball forward, but the lack of support, stemming from Southgate’s decision to not change the shape of his starting XI, meant that he was destined to face a difficult game. In that role, he was tasked with progressing the ball, whilst shielding the back four, with no support in midfield or from the fullbacks.
This then changed when Southgate made a half-time change, bringing Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo on for Gallagher. In his first 20 minutes on the pitch, Mainoo completed more passes than Gallagher, whom Rice praised leading into the game, and England improved almost instantly.
Mainoo dropped deeper than Gallagher, and offered more support to Rice. Heading into the knockouts, Rice will hope that it is the teenager who is selected, to help ease the difficulties he has faced with the current setup.