Sky Sport Italia pundits Paolo Di Canio and Beppe Bergomi were ‘very unimpressed by England’ after a 0-0 draw with Scotland. ‘They have no identity.’
The Three Lions beat Croatia 1-0 on their Euro 2020 debut, but if anything Scotland had the better chances at Wembley this evening.
“Scotland did very well considering their potential, but we were very unimpressed by England,” former West Ham United star, Sunderland and Swindon Town manager Di Canio told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s a lot of talented players stuck together, but they have no identity, no movement, no invention, no courage to make a searching pass, it’s just not in their DNA.
“When the central midfielders can’t play, they need Stones or someone to play their way out from the back. He’s no Bonucci, but he has to try. It’s not just the players, but the coach has to tell them they are making the wrong runs at the wrong time.”
Harry Kane again fired blanks and looked very much out of sorts, but Di Canio does not believe it’s an injury that is causing this poor form.
“I’ve been saying for the last three months of the Premier League season, and let it be known I adore Kane, that I didn’t like his attitude.
“He doesn’t put heart into it, he doesn’t chase players down. We all know he wants to leave Tottenham, but that attitude has continued on into the Euros. I think it’s more a mental issue than a physical one, he’s out of steam.”
Bergomi won the 1982 World Cup with Italy and the defender saw a big difference between Gareth Southgate’s England and Roberto Mancini’s Italy.
“This is a situation where there’s no idea, no plan. When you have talents working together for the team, that brings the best out of the individuals too,” said Bergomi.
“England, I will be honest, disappointed me this evening.”
The other pundits also pointed out that Kane scored five of his six 2018 World Cup goals against Tunisia and Panama.
Jordan Pickford, that is special #ENGSCO | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/pKpkqkeksk
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 18, 2021