England’s stars fail to shine again (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
England turned in another worrying performance at Euro 2024 after being held to a goalless draw with Slovenia.
England’s place in the knockout stages was already guaranteed ahead of kick-off. But it was too slow and too passive again as the Three Lions struggled to break down the opposition on another dull outing where last week’s problems showed no signs of improving.
While there was a bit more life in proceedings following the second-half introductions of Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, there is still plenty for Gareth Southgate to mull over ahead of the knockout stages.
Metro.co.uk takes a look at who provided a decent account of themselves and who still needs to step up in Germany.
Jordan Pickford: 6
A watching brief for most of the contest. Quick off his line to thwart a Slovenian break midway through the first-half but little else for the Everton goalkeeper to busy himself with this evening.
Plenty for Southgate to think about (Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Kyle Walker: 4
Not much of a presence down the right – responsible for a fairly rotten attempt to knock the ball across goal after being picked out by Kane in the second period.
John Stones: 5
Like his defensive partner, was solid and reliable without too much to do. His partnership with Marc Guehi is still to be truly tested but it has coped with everything thrown at it thus far.
Marc Guehi: 5
Overall, another fairly promising performance and was commanding when called upon up against Benjamin Sesko. His only blemish – the Crystal Palace star was caught on the wrong side chasing Andraz Sporar through after a long ball over the top and was booked for his trouble.
Solid again from the Crystal Palace star (Picture: ANP via Getty Images)
Kieran Trippier: 4
Booked after 16 minutes and was too easily beaten as Slovenia threatened to cause problems down his flank. Luke Shaw was back among the substitutes tonight – England desperately need him back in the squad but having played no football since February, it will also represent a huge gamble.
Conor Gallagher: 4
Brought into replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and inject some intensity. The Chelsea star was among those guilty of giving the ball away carelessly inside first half hour and should perhaps have done better to latch onto Trippier’s excellent cross. Was hooked at half-time for Kobbie Mainoo. Another failed midfield experiment?
Gallagher was hooked at half-time (Picture: Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Declan Rice: 5
Another who looked uncertain and loose in possession early on. He returned the perfectly weighted ball to Foden for Saka’s disallowed goal but again did not resemble the midfielder we saw last season in an Arsenal shirt.
Bukayo Saka: 5
Saw his first-half goal ruled out for offside. Worked hard off the ball but struggled to create again. Was replaced by Cole Palmer after 70 minutes.
Jude Bellingham: 4
Rather anonymous again. Misplaced pass allowed Slovenia to get their first effort on target with Sesko’s tame header saved early on. Not incisive enough with his passing again with his pressing not nearly effective enough.
Bellingham (Picture: Gokhan Balci/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Phil Foden: 6
A brighter performance, but still some way off the usual standard. Made some clever runs in behind and tested the goalkeeper with a decent free kick effort in the first-half. Teed up Saka for his disallowed goal but should have perhaps stayed onside before playing the ball across.
Booked for dissent with 10 minutes left on the clock and replaced by Anthony Gordon late on.
Harry Kane: 5
More of the same. Unable to offer runs in behind and on more than one occasion, received the ball into feet in the box but was unable to hold up or lay off ball. Both he and Gallagher should have made a cleaner connection with Trippier’s excellent first-half cross. Brighter in the second-half but far too deep again.
Kane much of the match in a deep role again (Picture: firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
Involved within minutes after coming off the bench, slipping a clever ball through for Bellingham inside the box. His introduction coincided with England upping the tempo.
Cole Palmer: 6
Slid an excellent ball through into the box on 76 minutes after combining with Mainoo but found no teammates racing in to pick it up. Inventive down the left in a promising cameo and will surely now be pushing for a start.
Anthony Gordon: 6
Only had minutes to make an impact but almost did when he teed up Palmer late on only to see his effort saved.