Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand criticized Gareth Southgate’s tactics following England’s first-half performance against Denmark on Thursday.
After Harry Kane gave England the lead, capitalizing on a deflected cross from Kyle Walker, England allowed Denmark to get back into the game, with Morten Hjulmand finishing from outside the penalty area.
Both Richards and Ferdinand questioned the England captain’s position during the match, with the former Manchester United defender stating that if he were playing, he would become increasingly frustrated with the Bayern striker for his lackluster work rate.
‘I would go crazy (with Kane). He would be shouting,” Ferdinand told BBC Sport at half-time. “I couldn’t allow my centre-forward not to do the same workload as the other players.
‘I need to see the same workload and intensity (from Kane). He puts pressure on his centre-back as if I were receiving it as an England defender!
Rio Ferdinand (pictured) declared he would “go crazy with Harry Kane” if he played during the first half of England’s match against Denmark.
Kane (pictured) scored the first goal for England, but Ferdinand expressed concern about his work rate.
Ferdinand and Richards also questioned Gareth Southgate’s (pictured) tactics as England appeared to be going too deep.
Richards claimed England were sitting too deep and was concerned how they were not passing the ball to Harry Kane.
‘It’s not good enough now. I thought against Serbia it was nerves and sometimes that can happen in a game.
“Today they started better. We have to respect Denmark as an opposition. They are really good and know what they have to do, tactically much better.
“England are too deep from midfield. Trent and Rice there, too deep. The back four are also too deep.
‘They can not go out. They are having the same problem as in the first game against Serbia.
‘When we transition, Kane is so deep there is no way out. In the second part we have to make changes.
‘Watkins needs to come in and stretch this game. At the moment, it’s too easy for Denmark.”
With England still tied with Denmark after 68 minutes, Southgate made the decision to bring in Ollie Watkins, for his first appearance at Euro 2024.
Southgate opted to make several changes during the second half, with Kane (right) replacing Ollie Watkins.
Richards (pictured) expressed concern about England’s position against Serbia.
Despite being eliminated, Kane scored his 63rd appearance for England during the match and scored his 64th goal for the Three Lions.
Questions were raised over his positioning following England’s 1-0 win against Serbia on Sunday, after Kane was again seen dropping deep for the ball and to reinforce England’s defense in midfield.
But questions have also been raised about his service in the final third. In fact, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the England player most likely to pass to him during the match, finding Kane six times during the match.
Jude Bellingham was England’s next best, passing Kane five times.