Eberechi Eze insists now is not the time to panic, despite England’s hugely underwhelming start to Euro 2024.
England escaped with a 1-1 draw here in Frankfurt last night after being outplayed by an impressive Denmark side and, as in the unconvincing 1-0 win over Serbia last weekend, looked a long way short of the standards set by Spain and Germany so far in the tournament.
The Three Lions went ahead through Harry Kane’s 18th-minute strike but then fell away in familiar style as the Danes equalised through Morten Hjulmand’s long-range screamer.
Despite a dismal performance, though, the point keeps Gareth Southgate’s side top of Group C and ensures they are all-but certain to qualify for the last-16, with victory over Slovenia in Cologne next week sure to see them clinch top spot.
“I’d say we’re staying calm, we know the potential we’ve got,” said Crystal Palace star Eze, who came off the bench as Southgate changed his entire front-three in failed pursuit of a winner late on.
“We’re building, we’re getting towards the level that we know we can play at. Ultimately, we’ve got four points and there’s more to improve. No stress, we’re not panicking.
Euro 2024 is cooking up some Goal Of The Tournament race 😍
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2024
Morten Hjumland with a delightful strike #Euro2024 | #DENENG pic.twitter.com/Pd8n5ItkVN
“Tournament football is a rollercoaster. This is my first one but that’s what [the other players are] all saying. As long as you stay calm and positive, you’ll be fine.”
It was the third time in as many major tournaments that England have turned in an uninspiring display in their second group match, following drab 0-0 draws with Scotland at the last Euros and USA at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
There were boos at full-time from the travelling England contingent and there is now huge pressure on Southgate and his players to show signs of life in Tuesday’s clash against Slovenia.
“You understand their frustration because you want to win games, to get as many points as you can,” Eze said of the fan reaction. “Today, unfortunately, we didn’t get three points but we’re calm.
“We want to put in performances that we know we’re capable of but this is what happened at the last tournament and no one remembers it when you reach the latter stages. We know there are more levels to go.”
While team-mates have urged calm, captain Kane admitted in a damning assessment last night that England are “struggling with and without the ball”.
“In general, when the teams drop a few players deeper we’re not sure how to the get the pressure on and who’s supposed to be going,” he said.
“The pressing in both games hasn’t been quite right, and with the ball we haven’t been good enough — that’s from top to bottom, from me to [Jordan Pickford].
“Everyone’s dropping below their level in terms of retaining the ball and playing under pressure.”
England were this morning back at their Blankenhain base, with left-back Luke Shaw working indoors as part of his injury rehabilitation, rather than joining the 10 players not involved against Denmark on the grass.
