Lineker still not convinced by England’s performances (Rest is Football)
Gary Lineker believes England cannot be considered strong favourites to beat Switzerland at Euro 2024, describing Gareth Southgate’s side as ‘lost souls’ after their dramatic but unconvincing win over Slovakia.
A moment of magic from Jude Bellingham spared England’s blushes against Slovakia before Harry Kane scored the extra time winner in their last 16 showdown on Sunday.
After a series of woeful performances in the group stages, the Three Lions once again laboured against Slovakia, falling behind after 25 minutes with those familiar problems on show again.
England did not register a shot on target until Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick in the final minute of added time and again retreated onto the back foot following Kane’s dramatic winner.
Switzerland on the other hand confidently booked their place in the last eight of the competition after sweeping past defending champions Italy.
They also ended their group campaign with a 1-1 draw against hosts Germany with former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka in superb form, off the back of his club success with Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast former England star Lineker was realistic over England’s immediate prospects, admitting Southgate’s side can no longer be considered overwhelming favourites ahead of Saturday’s game.
Southgate still has some big calls to make (Picture: AMA/2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
‘We are in the quarter-final but it is hard to be that hopeful,’ Lineker said. ‘If you had said at the start of the tournament England would be in the quarter-finals against Switzerland you would have said fantastic, you fancy your chances there. Big favourites. But I don’t think they are big favourites. Far from it.’
Lineker still sees a side struggling to find its identify and while he has no concerns over the effort being put in by the players, he fears there is no clear direction among the squad.
ENGLAND’S ROUTE TO EURO 2024 FINAL
QUARTER FINAL – July 6 at 5pm
England vs Switzerland
SEMI FINAL – July 10 at 8pm
England vs Romania, Netherlands, Austria or Turkey
FINAL – July 14 at 8pm
England vs Germany, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, France or Belgium
‘We can’t pretend,’ Lineker continued. I look at the quality of players England have at their disposal. but you have got to get something out of them.
‘I look at them at the moment and see a team of lost souls. They don’t seem to know what they are doing, what their jobs are, how the team is supposed to be playing.
‘Now I am sure they have been told, it is whether they’ve bought into it.
‘They are playing in a style that is alien to most of them because most of them play a high press, really dynamic, sharp short passing football [for their clubs]. I do feel for the players. There is no lack of effort or commitment.’