- England were held to a 1-1 draw by Denmark in their second Euro 2024 clash
- Harry Kane was blasted by BBC Sport’s pundits for his first half performance
- Follow Mail Sport’s England vs Denmark Live Blog for all the latest updates
Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand have hit out at Gareth Southgate‘s tactics following England’s first-half performance against Denmark on Thursday.
After Harry Kane gave England the lead, tapping in a deflected cross from Kyle Walker, England allowed Denmark back into the game, with Morten Hjulmand striking in from outside of the penalty area.
The Three Lions would fail to muster up a winner in the second half and would be held to a 1-1 draw.
During half-time, both Richards and Ferdinand questioned the Kane’s positioning during the match, with the ex-Manchester United defender stating that if he was playing, he’d be growing frustrated at the Bayern forward for his lacklustre work rate.
‘I’d be going mad [at Kane]. I’d be screaming,’ Ferdinand told BBC Sport at half-time. ‘I couldn’t have my centre-forward not filling in with the same workload that the other players are putting in.
‘I need to see the same workload and intensity [from Kane]. Put their centre-half under pressure like I’m receiving as an England defender!
Richards claimed that England were sitting too deep and he was concerned over how they were not getting the ball to Harry Kane.
‘It’s not good enough now. I thought against Serbia it was nerves, and sometimes that can happen in a game.
‘They started better today. We have to respect Denmark as the opposition. They’re really good and know what they need to do, tactically way better.
‘They’re just too deep, England, from the midfield. Trent and Rice in there – way too deep. Back four are too deep as well.
‘They can’t get out. They’re having the same problem as the first game against Serbia.
‘When we transition, Kane is so deep, there’s no way out. Second half, we have to make substitutions.
‘Watkins needs to come on and stretch this game. At the moment, it’s too easy for Denmark.’
With England still level with Denmark after 68 miutes, Southgate made the decision to bring on Ollie Watkins, for his first appearance at Euro 2024.
Despite being brought off, Kane netted his 63rd appearance for England during the match and netted his 64th goal for the Three Lions.
Question marks had been raised over his positioning following England’s 1-0 victory against Serbia on Sunday after Kane was again seen dropping deep in search of the ball and to bolster England’s defence in midfield.
But question marks have also been raised over his service inside the final third. In fact, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the England player who was most likely to pass to him during the game, finding kane six times during the match.
Jude Bellingham was England’s next best, passing to Kane five times.