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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jacob Steinberg in Berlin

Who shone and who flopped? England’s Euro 2024 players rated

(Left to right): Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Pickford, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane.
(Left to right): Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Pickford, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane. Composite: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Jordan Pickford (GK) Another excellent tournament for England’s No 1. Pickford made saves at vital times, particularly in the second half of the final against Spain, and excelled in the penalty shootout victory over Switzerland. He was often forced to kick the ball too long but he was faultless in other departments and is unlikely to be displaced by Aaron Ramsdale or Dean Henderson any time soon. 8

Kyle Walker (RB) Was this the vice-captain’s swansong? Walker has been talked out of retiring from international football before but it could be time for a younger player to step up (will Reece James stay fit?). There were hints of creakiness in Germany, not least against Slovakia, and he was exposed in the second half against Spain. Walker’s speed endures and he played key roles in goals against Denmark and Serbia but it is getting harder to keep bursting up and down the right. 5

John Stones (CB) A horror show against Slovakia aside, the 30-year-old can be pleased with his tournament. He was generally solid defensively and he took on leadership responsibilities in the absence of Harry Maguire. The one disappointment was his distribution. England struggled to play out. 7

Marc Guéhi (CB) The 24-year-old ensured Maguire was not missed. Unflappable, alert, smart, strong. He was caught out for Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner in the final but the ball from Marc Cucurella was devilishly difficult to defend. No matter: it’s Guéhi’s place to lose. 8

Ezri Konsa (CB): The Aston Villa defender replaced the suspended Guehi against Switzerland and had an excellent game. He will hope to stake a claim for a starting place during the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. 7

Luke Shaw (LB) Gareth Southgate gambled on taking Shaw, who had been out since February with a hamstring injury. He returned as a substitute, playing well against Switzerland and the Netherlands, but his rust was evident when he started against Spain and came up against Lamine Yamal. 5

Kieran Trippier (LB/RB) Displayed his commitment by battling through a groin injury and filling in out of position. It was not his fault England were so lopsided. Another whose future is in doubt. 5

Declan Rice (CM) The Arsenal midfielder looked drained from the first game. He was not his usual commanding self, gave away a goal against the Netherlands and found the going tough against Spain. England still lack that ball-playing midfielder. 5

Kobbie Mainoo (CM) The 19-year-old altered the dynamic of the team when he came on against Slovenia. His quality on the ball shone brightly against the Dutch. But he is still learning. Overwhelmed against Spain, he needs to become cannier and more physically robust. These are very early days; Mainoo will mature. 7

Conor Gallagher (CM) Southgate’s scurrier came on to spoil in a few games but he endured the humiliation of being substituted at half-time against Slovenia. 5

Trent Alexander-Arnold (CM) The experiment. Unfortunately, Alexander-Arnold in midfield did not work. The idea was discarded after two games but the 25-year-old deserves credit for staying engaged and coming on to score the winning shootout penalty against Switzerland. Give him a run at right-back. 6

Jude Bellingham (AM) A storming header against Serbia, a bicycle kick against Slovakia, an assist in the final. Against that: plenty of drifting through games, quite a lot of petulance, plenty of wastefulness in possession. A tournament of moments. This is still going to become his team, though. 6

Phil Foden (AM) One outstanding performance against the Netherlands but the best attacker in the Premier League could never quite seize the initiative. Something is missing when he plays for England. It may be that they struggle to get him the ball. 6

Eberechi Eze (AM) Looked overawed when he came on against Denmark. But he did extremely well as a substitute against Slovakia and Switzerland. Who knew he could play left wing-back? 7

Bukayo Saka (RW) The winger produced some crucial moments – none more so than when he equalised against Switzerland. Although Saka looked tired at times he never stopped running for the team. His attitude was summed up by playing right wing, left-back, left wing-back and right wing-back against Slovakia. 8

Jarrod Bowen (RW) The West Ham forward almost had an assist after coming on against Serbia, but he was not seen again after a cameo against Denmark. 6

Anthony Gordon (LW) Has anyone seen him? Some snatched minutes against Slovenia but calls for him to play on the left went unheeded. Amused Konsa when he fell off a bike and cut his chin. 5

Cole Palmer (RW) Did not start a game, which feels a waste, but he still converted a penalty against Switzerland, notched a lovely assist in the semi-final and scored a brilliant equaliser in the final. Too good not to play more. 8

Harry Kane (CF) Off the pace throughout. The captain scored three goals but he never looked right after returning from a back injury. His lack of pace affected England’s forward play and he was substituted early after a desperate display in Berlin. Will he still be around come 2026? 5

Ollie Watkins (CF) The striker took his chance when he came on against the Netherlands, scoring a wonderful winner. Made less of an impact against Spain. 7

Ivan Toney (CF) Unsettled Slovakia after coming on and made Kane’s winner. Scored a classic no-look penalty against Switzerland. Worth looking at more. 7

Did not play Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, Joe Gomez, Lewis Dunk, Adam Wharton

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