By Gary Neville, the former England defender and now a commentator, has voiced his concerns regarding England’s current form in Euro 2024. He believes that if the team does not step up their game, they will likely face defeat against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Neville’s comments come after England’s close call against Slovakia, where they were moments away from being knocked out before Jude Bellingham’s remarkable overhead kick and Harry Kane’s extra-time goal turned the game around.
Neville emphasized that England has consistently underperformed in the tournament, and their luck may run out if they don’t improve. He pointed out that England’s progression so far has been partly due to fortunate circumstances, such as Denmark not scoring an additional goal which would have led England to face Germany instead.
The Sky Sports pundit has called on Gareth Southgate to be more adventurous with his team selection. He suggests that taking more risks could unlock the team’s potential and prevent them from playing with the apprehension that has characterized previous England squads. Neville noted that while the prospect of playing Switzerland in the quarter-finals would have been welcomed by the team and fans alike a few weeks ago, the Swiss team’s current form, having beaten the reigning champions Italy, should not be underestimated.
In conclusion, Neville warns that England must elevate their performance to avoid an exit this Saturday. He believes that while the team has been fortunate to get this far, relying on luck is not a sustainable strategy. The team needs to play with more freedom and take calculated risks to overcome the challenges ahead and potentially reach the final.
