EAGLE-EYED England fans spotted a fuming Phil Foden “going mad” at Kieran Trippier during England’s drab draw with Slovenia.
And Declan Rice also joined in berating the makeshift left-back.
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As the final Group C game approached the half-hour mark, England tried to find a way to break down the Slovenian defence.
But as Foden laid the ball back for Trippier at left-back, the right-footed ace refused to fizz the ball into the middle where Rice was completely free 25 yards out.
Instead, he tried an intricate through ball for Bukayo Saka, which was cut out and intercepted by an opposition player and put out for an England throw.
And that prompted an angry reaction from both Foden and Rice.
Foden – playing in that uncomfortable left-wing role again – pointed towards Rice, who himself had his arms wide open before pointing to the pitch to demonstrate how much space he had.
Trippier appeared to raise a hand of apology towards the Arsenal midfielder before trotting over to take the throw.
And fans watching the action on ITV were quick to give their reaction to the moment of aggro between the team-mates as tempers and frustrations began to boil over.
One said: “Foden going mad at Trippier there.”
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Another wrote: “Trippier and Foden just are not getting each other.”
A third added: “Mood not ideal when you’ve Foden throwing his hands at Trippier like that. ‘Don’t blame me everyone’ vibes.”
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A fourth posted: “Foden and Trippier remind me of a pairing,” followed by a gif of the Chuckle brothers.
A fifth typed: “The right side is an absolute mess. Walker and Saka don’t work together. The left side is an even bigger mess, Foden has no idea what Trippier is doing. The midfield is being outplayed for the third game in a row.”
And a final user commented: “And there is the problem. Foden having a go at Trippier for not playing the ball back into a crowded middle of the park. Gordon would’ve taken that ball and ran at the defence to the byline.”
Earlier on, Foden thought he had set up Saka to tap in the opener – but the City playmaker was flagged offside.
Then just before the break, both Conor Gallagher and Harry Kane managed to miss the ball from a whipped Trippier cross to the back post.
Gallagher – brought in for Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield – was dragged off at half-time with Kobbie Mainoo brought on in his place.
At the break, Roy Keane blasted the Three Lions as “slow and sloppy” while Gary Neville called the side “basic”.
Things didn’t get much better after half-time, though, as England laboured to a drab goalless draw – but did secure top spot in Group C.
England have turned into a long-ball team, that has to change, says Jack Wilshere
ENGLAND need to find the courage and confidence to start playing out from the back again, writes Jack Wilshere.
That was the approach that brought them success and they seemed to be getting better at it.
But in the last two games they have tried it less and Jordan Pickford has been going long more often.
England’s lack of structure and playing out from the back was dictated by how the first two games went.
The opponents grew in confidence and started to press a little bit higher.
And, as England have made mistakes, they have ended up trying to eliminate risk by playing it longer.
We’ve been looking for solutions and ended up going back to Jordan and there’s no option, we’re under a bit of pressure and he has to go long.
But, more often than not, playing out through the thirds is the way to go.
Let’s do it, let’s go and be brave and dominate the ball.
Read Jack Wilshere’s tactical analysis in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
