Jamie Carragher singles out one England player who cost the country the Eurocup, surprising RICE, BELLINGHAM OR FODEN
Jamie Carragher has expressed his disbelief over the actions of an England player during the Euro 2024 final against Spain. The Three Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat in Berlin, with second-half goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal ending Spain’s 12-year trophy drought and dashing England’s hopes of ending their own long wait for a major men’s trophy.
Despite reaching their second consecutive European Championship final, England’s 58-year drought continues. Gareth Southgate’s team managed three shots on target against Spain, one of which was Cole Palmer’s 73rd-minute equalizer. Phil Foden also came close to scoring, but his stretched effort was straight at Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Throughout the match, England struggled to handle Spain’s intense pressure, particularly in midfield where Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, and Fabian Ruiz dominated. In response, England often attempted to bypass the midfield by having Jordan Pickford kick long balls to Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, or one of the wide players. While this tactic sometimes worked due to Bellingham and Kane’s aerial prowess and Pickford’s excellent distribution, it often resulted in England losing possession easily.
In his column for The Telegraph, Carragher remarked on his astonishment that Pickford was repeatedly instructed to kick long. He suggested that other players should have been demanding the ball instead. Carragher wrote, “As Southgate conceded in his post-match interview, we did not keep the ball well enough against a side capable of starving you of possession. I cannot believe Jordan Pickford was under orders to keep giving the ball away with wasteful, long kicks upfield. We did not have enough players ordering him to stop while demanding the ball.”
Carragher continued to criticize the lack of initiative from England’s players. “I’ve played in enough games where I saw players hiding and refusing to show themselves to take possession, hoping something will come from long, hopeful balls. Southgate is not telling them to do that. In those situations, you need the biggest players to show for it and say they will accept the ball in difficult areas. Again, that is all about football courage.”
He elaborated on the importance of players stepping up in crucial moments. “In a game of this magnitude, it’s not just about skill and strategy but also about courage and willingness to take responsibility. It’s about players stepping up and demanding the ball, even in tight situations, to help the team maintain possession and build attacks from the back. This is what separates the good teams from the great ones.”
Carragher also highlighted the role of senior players in setting an example. “Experienced players like Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson should be the ones setting the tone. They need to show the younger players that it’s okay to take risks and that maintaining possession under pressure is key to controlling the game. This kind of leadership is crucial in high-stakes matches.”
Reflecting on the overall performance, Carragher noted, “While there were moments where England showed promise, the inability to adapt and hold onto the ball cost them dearly. It’s a tough lesson, but one that hopefully the team can learn from as they move forward. The talent is there, but it’s about harnessing it in the right way and having the bravery to play to their strengths, even against top opposition.”
In conclusion, Carragher’s analysis paints a picture of a team that, while talented, needs to develop a stronger mentality and better decision-making under pressure. As England looks ahead to future tournaments, these insights could be crucial in helping them finally end their long wait for a major trophy.
