England host Germany at Wembley on Tuesday and Karen Duggan has questioned why they place so much pressure on the team to win major tournaments, considering there is little evidence to suggest they will.
Despite reaching the semi-finals at the World Cup in Russia, Gareth Southgate and many of his predecessors have had little consequential success on the international stage.
Duggan, the former Irish international who joined The Euro 2020 Show on OTB Sports, is uncertain of England's hopes of progression against Germany, especially when Southgate's conservative approach is taken into account.
"Southgate has done fine, but England, despite there being no reason for it, expect to win major tournaments," Duggan said.
"They have lost out to teams that, on paper, are not as good as them. Going out to Germany would not be as savage as going out to the likes of Iceland or losing to Croatia but going out at this stage of the tournament would be an absolute disaster.
"Before the tournament, they were winning. As the tournament has gone on the press have taken a little bit of a step back because they haven't been firing on all cylinders."
Duggan believes Southgate should sacrifice one of his holding midfielders and include either Jadon Sancho or Jack Grealish in the starting 11 against the Germans.
Picture date: Tuesday June 22, 2021."I do not understand how you can have someone like Grealish or Sancho not getting enough minutes," Duggan continued.
"Southgate has gone safe at a time when I do not think he really needs to. He is probably looking at how Portugal won it in 2016 when they set out their stall, were not amazing to watch but got the job done in the end.
"I think it is mad. I would like to see Germany score first to see how England react and see how they come out of the traps.
"Kalvin Phillips has been good. I think he is enough in there. Southgate loves Declan Rice but I do not know if he offers enough. I see him behind players a lot, pointing at people where to go but in terms of his contribution to the team, I do not think it has been as big as Phillips.
"I think he is strong-minded enough to take on that role himself.
"There is probably £300 million, £400 million on the bench there now. £500 million, who knows how much. You are looking at Sancho to Manchester United for probably £100 million. Grealish perhaps to Manchester City, another £100 million, sitting on the bench.
"It does not make logical sense really."
Picture date: Monday June 28, 2021.With both Germany and England sitting on what has been deemed the easier side of the bracket, a clear route to the semi-finals will be in sight for whoever emerges victorious from Tuesday's game at Wembley.
Undoubtedly, this is England's biggest game since their World Cup exit to Croatia. Will Southgate let England's attacking players loose?
We will find all of that and more at 5 PM.
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