Why England continues struggling at the Euros

England won only one of their opening three games of their Euro 2024 campaign, though fans jeered and booed off Gareth Southgate as they took advantage of their luck. Emerging as Group C winners, the pressure remains on Southgate to perform following a 1-1 draw to Denmark at the Deutsche Bank Park. To that end, the Three Lions are certain to qualify for the knockout rounds and, with a win over Slovenia, as their group winners.

There remains a cloud of doubt about whether Southgate can get the best out of this generational talent to claim silverware for England. Where exactly did it go wrong for the Three Lions?

When Did the Rain Start Hitting England? 

After Sam Allardyce's controversial departure, it's been nearly eight years since Gareth Southgate took over the mantle for the Three Lions while stepping up from his role with the U21s. 

Throughout the years, England developed a talented squad with world-class players popping up. The crop of talent from Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Saka, Rice, and TAA have inflated expectations and confidence, which remains justified. 

I don't need someone to do my homework for me to know that these sides were a few penalties away from ending their 55-year drought in the European championship. Despite the unbearable loss at the hands of Italy, the side looks settled to achieve major honors. It proved another scrap for France at the World Cup 2022 by the finest of margins and a rare Harry Kane penalty miss to exit the competition at the quarter-finals. 

Why Does the National Team Fail to Awe on the Biggest Occasions?

At face value, this is one of England's generational talent eclipsing the golden generation of Michael Owen, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Garry Neville, Peter Crouch, Rio Ferdinand, and David Beckham. 

Harry Kane is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, netting 36 goals in the Bundesliga. Jude Bellingham is a Ballon d'Or worthy contender this season after winning the Champions League, with Phil Foden being Premier League's Player of the Season after a stargazing season at Manchester City. 

The riches of talent at his disposal are becoming an embarrassment with how he uses the resources around him. Let's look at various areas that will be the downfall of the England manager.

Squad Selection Headache

The 26-man squad was a game changer and raised many controversial talking points emerging in the press. Unfortunately, Southgate's key man, Harry Maguire, was injured at Manchester United at the end of the season, and it was certainly a change in the defense.

He didn't recover in time for the squad, and it was when Southgate decided that Marc Geuhi from Crystal Palace should go to promotion. Accordingly, it is a very useful decision in the end. Another conundrum in the middle of the pack is Declan Rice's partner in midfield. 

The cut of Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips disputed the balance, with Southgate still unsure of the starting trio. A natural creator in James Maddison was left, with Jude Bellingham orchestrating the attack. A makeshift Trent-Alexander Arnold in midfield seemed plausible but hasn't quite bore fruit. 

In attack, there's a lack of fluidity with movements. In defense, Trent's lack of defending know-how leaves them exposed.  

No Natural Left Back

Heading into the Euros without a natural left back is a recipe for disaster Southgate didn't anticipate. World Cup 2022 saw a fit Luke Shaw take on the mantle while netting in the Euros final against Italy. 

However, after an injury-spelled season, Southgate saw it fit to leave out the Manchester United star from the 26-man squad.

Currently, he contends with Kieran Trippier filling the left back spot. Trippier's proneness to come inside is aggravated by Phil Foden, who occasionally fails to clutch a position in the attacking phase. The results of this system flaw leave the left flank void, with numerous attacking options for counter-attacking teams. We can't imagine how the side will fare in the later stages of the competition against pacey wingers like Yasmine Lamal, Ousmane Dembele, or Leroy Sane. 

New Talent's Game Time

What most of the gaffer thought to have been the biggest shame for England in the Euro 2024, as far as he is concerned, was that the recruits, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, and Anthony Gordon, received limited playing time.

Only the young Crystal Palace star has seen action in the tournament and only played for a meager 20 minutes. As for Palmer and Gordon, game time has yet to be seen. The lack of pace and creativity on the wings with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden remains an Achilles heel for the side. Cole Palmer comes off the back of a terrific season for Chelsea, netting 29 times for the Blues. Unfortunately, Southgate looks set on giving more minutes to Jarred Bowen as cover on the right wing. 

Kobbie Mainoo put up a Man of the Match performance in the FA Cup finals against Manchester City, sealing the netting goal from midfield. Could he be the missing piece in England's midfield?

Media Drama

Following the dreadful start of England's side in the Euro tournament, critics and the press still stay on the hots for it. Some of the remarks and singling out of players are exceptionally harsh. It is a newspaper and the largest power in England, which put them under pressure. They criticize the squad's underperforming and deplorable tactics shown by the individual players.

There has been much talk about the involvement of some Irish internationals. For instance, James McClean – a pundit from RTE Sports, made statements claiming midfielder Rice is overrated and does not have a world-class pedigree. The intense scrutiny and negative spotlight surrounding the team is a weed to take its toll on the young and less-experienced members of the squad, dampening their confidence and affecting their on-field decisions.

Replacing Harry Kane?

The gaffer would be thrilled with one conversation for multiple reasons. It would be the story of him replacing Harry Kane in attack; the captain has been far from his useful, prolific self. Kane went without a goal at the Euros and the World Cup. That was in the group stages, though, and he then plundered six goals in six knockout games at those tournaments.

In their opening match against Serbia, he touched the ball 24 times, including twice in the first half. Ollie Watkin's debut against Denmark was impressive, with off-the-ball movement and pace injected into the attack.