Jermaine Pennant names his biggest concern for England ahead of Euro 2024 despite storming through qualifying
JERMAINE PENNANT has revealed his biggest concern for England ahead of Euro 2024.
The Three Lions sealed qualification for Germany next summer with a 3-1 comeback win over Italy on Tuesday night.
Pennant, 40, is impressed with the current crop of players at England‘s disposal.
But he fears that boss Gareth Southgate is “too negative” to steer the Three Lions to glory.
Speaking to the Mirror, the former Arsenal and Liverpool star said: “My only concern is the manager, Gareth Southgate.
“I think he hasn’t got the knack to win.
“I think he’s too negative. With the players that we’ve got, we should be more on the front foot rather than going into games not wanting to concede or not wanting to lose.
“We should be going in there knowing that we’re going to dominate.
“With the players we’ve got going forward, attacking-wise, we should always be on the front foot.
“And I just think sometimes he’s a bit slow in making changes and decision-making.
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“By the time he’s made the changes too late, the game’s gone by.”
Southgate, 53, has led England to a World Cup semi-final, Euros final and the quarter-finals in Qatar since taking charge as boss.
Despite his reservations about the Three Lions boss, Pennant reckons he’d have received a call-up under him during his playing days.
Having never played for England despite playing in the 2007 Champions League final, Pennant added: “I think if it was in this era, I’m sure I would have got a cap because they seem to be giving up caps like Skittles.
“You don’t need to play to get called up these days.”