The English are notoriously negative. We don’t just look a gift horse in the mouth, we count its teeth and complain about its breath. So the staggeringly hysterical online reaction to England’s 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley should come as no surprise. England had conquered the team that shattered their Euro 2020 dream on the very same pitch. They had rubber-stamped their qualification for Euro 2024. But that wasn’t enough for many.
One particular online football click-farm posted a picture on X (known as Twitter before it was bought by a Batman villain) of the England team photo from Tuesday’s game. “What’s stopping this team from winning Euro 2024?” they asked, in the football equivalent of those horrible pages that post a picture of some bread and spark a war between people who call it a “roll” and those who call it a “bap”.
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But their ploy for engagement worked. There were many responses, even in the wake of a fine England display and qualification for Euro 2024. Kalvin Phillips got it badly. His struggles at Manchester City have turned the Three Lions fanbase against him and teetering so close to a sending off against Italy didn’t help.
As always, Harry Maguire was a prime candidate for the online hive mind’s fury. Despite the fact he hardly put a foot wrong against Italy. His difficulties at Manchester United are evoked often when debating the former Red Devils captain. But Maguire has rarely let England down over the course of his 60 caps. His treatment is indicative of the negative attitude of many England fans.
It’s a real shame considering the talent in this group. A player like Jude Bellingham who is peaking at just the right time. Treble-winning stars surrounding him like Phil Foden and Kyle Walker. Classy midfielders like Declan Rice and potent goalscorers like Harry Kane. I’m not saying this team will win the Euros but it certainly could.
Manager Gareth Southgate’s reign has taken in England’s first World Cup semi-final since 1990 and its first major final since 1966. But still the wider public feel like they know more than the head coach. Despite results on the pitch delivering the sort of international success fans haven’t enjoyed in decades. Well for many fans they are choosing not to enjoy it even now it’s happening.
No manager is perfect, of course. Jordan Henderson’s continued inclusion despite his age and the fact he plies his trade for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League is confusing. Especially considering other English talent excelling in foreign leagues, like AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, rarely gets a look in. The defender was dropped for the Italy game when Southgate had to slash his squad from 25 players to 23 for the Italy clash due to UEFA rules.
But are these not minor moans? England are off to Euro 2024 and it rarely looked in doubt. Tournament qualification is back to being a formality under Southgate. The “Wally with the Brolly” episode has never threatened to rear its ugly head again. And now England don’t make up the numbers at major tournaments, they compete. A trophy has eluded them thus far, but has it not eluded every England side since 1966? The fact that is being used as a stick to beat Southgate and his team with shows how high standards are under this regime.
But nothing will change. The next squad will be announced in November and the familiar faces will be in. People will cry about Maguire despite his excellent England record. People will call for players they’ve barely watched from leagues they don’t follow to be included. After the games with Malta and North Macedonia, people will write England off no matter the result. This is what we do, as a people. Three Lions on a shirt. English fans still moaning.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
