Phil Foden points finger of blame for England struggles and admits ‘it isn’t working’

England are unbeaten at Euro 2024, but ahead of their quarter-final clash with Switzerland, Gareth Southgate is under pressure to get a better display from the Three Lions

Phil Foden insists it is unfair on Gareth Southgate to shoulder all of the blame for England’s poor performances.

Foden says the players should also take responsibility for their lacklustre performances in the Euros as they have struggled to live up to their tag as pre-tournament favourites.

England go into Saturday’s quarter final with Switzerland in Dusseldorf as favourites with the bookies but the fans have been growing increasingly frustrated with Southgate.

Manchester City star Foden said: “I feel like the players have got to take some of the blame. There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working.

“There is only so much the manager can do. He sets you up in a system and tells you how to press. If it is not going like that you have to. . you never decide when a person is going to drop deep, as well. Maybe change the formation you are not used to.

“The players have got to adapt to what the other team is doing to be better. It is something we have definitely spoken about recently and going forward, hopefully you will see a different side to us pressing-wise.”

England boss Southgate was booed after the final Group match with Slovenia and many fans even left before the end and missed the dramatic late fightback against Slovakia in the last 16.

Phil Foden insists England’s players must take the responsibility for their struggles at Euro 2024
It has left Southgate bearing the brunt of the criticism – particularly from former players like Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer – for England’s slow start to the tournament.

But Foden says Southgate does want his players to attack and play a pressing game and sets up to go on the front foot in training.

Foden added: “I feel sorry for Gareth. He has not set out to do that. In training he has been telling us to press and be high up on the pitch and I feel like sometimes, it has to come from the players.

England manager Gareth Southgate has come in for stick from supporters ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
“We have to be leaders and I feel like in those games we could have got together a little bit more and worked out a solution.

“So yes, I feel like we have spoken about it more and if it happens again in a game, we can get together and find a solution and see where it is going wrong and adapt our press.”

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