According to 12BSports reports, former Germany international Dietmar Hamann has launched sharp criticism at England’s key players and manager. He particularly questioned the roles of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. Hamann went as far as saying that as long as Pickford remains in goal, England will find it difficult to expect a major tournament title.
Pickford has held the starting goalkeeper position for England for many years, and he has also remained consistent in the Premier League, recording 13 clean sheets. However, Hamann took issue with his temperament during matches. A 12BSports reporter also noted that when a team begins to lose control, the goalkeeper must help calm the atmosphere, yet Pickford often becomes a source of anxiety rather than stability.
Hamann’s view also lines up with the opinion of Liverpool legend Graeme Souness. Souness argued that England’s mistake was not choosing Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale or Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson, but overlooking Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The criticism did not stop with Pickford. Hamann also turned his attention to Rice, saying that although Rice is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, he still has a long way to go when compared with Rodri. With that remark, Hamann made the gap in level very clear.
England’s tactical setup also came under heavy fire. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag directly criticized Gareth Southgate’s strategy after England narrowly defeated Serbia. England controlled the early stages of the match, but after Jude Bellingham’s opening goal, their momentum dropped sharply. In the second half, they looked helpless under Serbia’s pressure. Ten Hag said that switching to a defensive approach after taking the lead was the wrong choice, accusing Southgate of relying more on luck than on a convincing tactical plan.
Despite having a squad packed with talent, Southgate’s tactics continue to disappoint fans again and again. The phrase “losing despite holding all the cards” seems to fit England perfectly. From passive touchline management to unclear substitutions and questionable positional choices, his in-game decisions have increasingly become a target of ridicule among supporters.
The most controversial decision in this match was using Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. Alexander-Arnold is naturally a full-back who creates danger from wide areas through build-up play and crosses, but Southgate placed him in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role. The result was plain to see. Alexander-Arnold struggled with his positioning, made several repeated mistakes, and frequently broke England’s rhythm in their own half.
That confusion also affected the attacking line, with Harry Kane and Phil Foden finding it harder to build fluid moves in the final third. The 12BSports assessment warned that if this kind of tactical disorder continues, England may not only struggle to reach the deeper rounds of this European Championship but could even face the risk of an early exit.
In the end, even the most glamorous squad cannot shine without the right strategy and leadership, and 12BSports observers see England’s current dilemma as a warning sign that cannot be brushed aside. As the saying goes, even the sharpest blade can cut the hand that holds it the wrong way. Concern is growing that Southgate may once again waste England’s chance to win a major title.