Jamie Carragher believes he knows why the three Manchester City players have struggled to replicate their club form with England.
Earlier this week England topped their group at Euro 2024, taking five points from their three games with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
England beat Serbia 1-0, but then drew 1-1 with Denmark and then 0-0 with Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate and the players have come in for a lot of criticism for the way they have played so far. All three performances have been poor, and many are at a loss as to why that is, given the quality of the players.
City’s trio – John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden – have by no means been the worst performers.
But undoubtedly, all three are not at the same level as they regularly are for City.
Jamie Carragher thinks he knows why.
Jamie Carragher suggests Man City England trio are used to ‘nothing but historic success’
Euro 2024 has been a hard watch so far for England fans.
Aside from the first-half against Serbia, England have been dreadful in Germany and fans are desperate to see an improvement now the nation has reached the knockout stages.
There has been plenty of talk about Foden’s position, with many feeling he should be moved inside to the number 10 position.
Some have also called for Walker to move across to play at left-back, in order to accommodate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jamie Carragher has noted how the City lads haven’t been at their best, and he feels the international spotlight is very different.
He said in his Telegraph column: “My suspicion is there are many in the England squad who are in unknown territory in having to deal with such levels of criticism playing for their country. This is the first bad tournament of the Southgate era.
“The Manchester City lads have had nothing but historic success throughout their careers.”
Difference in manager is the key
The biggest reason City’s three players are not performing to the levels we know they can is arguably because they are playing under a considerably worse manager in Southgate.
England have an incredible squad.
The talent is there, and City’s players should be absolutely thriving, as they do week in, week out back at the Etihad.
The difference is that they are not working under Pep Guardiola and instead working under someone who cannot recognise obvious solutions to problems, and likes to put square pegs in round holes.
There may also be a mentality difference, as Carragher suggests. Obviously, there is a massive winning culture at City and that is just not the case with England.