England fell to a disappointing defeat against Brazil at Wembley on Saturday and several players missed a big opportunity to send a message.
Gareth Southgate has been given a big headache ahead of Euro 2024 as his preparations for this summer’s tournament took a setback.
England were without a host of key players due to injury, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka two of those sitting out of the friendly.
However, Brazil were seriously depleted themselves and the Three Lions will be frustrated with the lack of clear-cut opportunities they created.
England boss Gareth Southgate has been given a headache after Saturday’s loss to Brazil
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Seventeen-year-old sensation Endrick will grab the headlines after becoming the youngest international player to score at Wembley.
The forward, who is set to join Real Madrid in the summer, is also the youngest to score for Brazil since the great Ronaldo in 1994.
Southgate said he was pleased with England’s performance in his post-match interviews, insisting there were plenty of positives.
But many fans were left disheartened and GB News now looks at four players who missed a chance to press home their case for a regular spot.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell was making his first appearance for England since the 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine last September.
The Chelsea star has had his injury problems so perhaps we need to cut him some slack.
But he was way off it in the first half especially and was wasteful in the final third on three occasions.
If both are fit, he is in a direct shootout with Luke Shaw to start in Germany. Chilwell didn’t do himself many favours on Saturday.
Conor Gallagher
The question of who will be England’s third midfielder this summer remains.
It is almost a certainty that Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will start if fit and available.
Conor Gallagher is one of several players who are vying for the remaining spot in midfield.
However, he looked way below the level required against Brazil and may now have missed his chance to grab a starting spot.
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Phil Foden
Phil Foden was unable to nail down a position in the England side
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Foden has been one of the star players in the Premier League this season, with 18 goal contributions.
No one doubts that he should start for England but which position he plays remains a mystery.
Foden started on the right in the absence of Saka before drifting into a central role when Bellingham was taken off.
However, he was unable to take the game by the scruff of the neck as he so often has at club level.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins missed his opportunity as the England No 9
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Southgate is likely to only pick one striker other than Kane in his squad to travel to Germany.
At the moment it appears to be a straight shootout between Watkins and Ivan Toney.
Watkins’ form at Aston Villa means he thoroughly deserved his chance to start in the absence of Kane.
However, he was largely ineffective and Toney will hope to make his mark in Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
