England boss Gareth Southgate will have heart-to-heart talks with Jude Bellingham as they try to get the team firing in the Euros.
Bellingham was sensational in England’s opening Group match but struggled in the next two with opponents trying to close down the Real Madrid superstar. England midfielder Bellingham got frustrated against Slovenia but Southgate insisted that it is a team problem rather than an issue with any individual.
Bellingham and Southgate will talk before Sunday’s last 16 tie but the manager stressed those conversations and ideas will remain private. Southgate said: “I will have those messages with him rather than plaster them over the papers. It’s about the team. We have to play as a team at all times and some days the space will be where there is more opportunity for our wingers, as Slovenia defended narrow. Our wingers could show what they could do.
“It was a little bit harder to play through the middle. I thought Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka did very well and Cole Palmer obviously had a good impact when he came on. That is what a team is.
“For everyone else you have to focus on individuals but for me it is about the team functioning and we were closer to where we want to be.”
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Southgate admits England must play better - but insists they are on the right path.
England clinched their place in the last 16 by winning their Group but managed just one win and two goals and have struggled for form and confidence. They hit a low against Denmark but Southgate says they showed encouraging signs against Slovenia which should stand them in good stead for the rest of the tournament.
England boss Gareth Southgate with Jude Bellingham (Getty Images)The fans are unhappy but Southgate is determined to improve and find a winning formula and rhythm. They may also have a kinder draw with the likes of Germany, Spain, France and Portugal on the other side.
England boss Southgate said: “I know people will want more, I completely understand that, we’ve achieved our second objective which was to win the group. We know there’s more to come. It was definitely a step in the right direction.
“I think you always want to win the Group because you never want to to look back and think you dropped points and it’s cost you.
“I think we improved. We definitely used the ball better against Slovenia. I was very proud that the players kept their composure, because given where things have been at for the last week or so, it would be easy when you’re 0-0 to rush things, lose composure, end up in trouble.”
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