Phil Foden has said England's players should take the blame for their poor performances at Euro 2024 and added that he “feels sorry” for manager Gareth Southgate.
Southgate has come under heavy criticism from fans and the media for his team selection and tactics throughout the tournament, as England unconvincingly topped Group C before scraping through their last-16 clash against Slovakia in extra time.
England face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday and Foden said it was time for him and his team-mates to step up.
“The players have to take some of the blame,” Foden said. “There has to be some leaders who come together and find a solution to why it's not working.”
“The coach can only do what he can. He sets up a system and tells you how to press. If it doesn't go that way, you have to [work it out].”
Foden said England's style of play has not matched his coaching instructions and added that Southgate has been telling them to press high up the pitch.
“I feel sorry for Gareth,” Foden added. “In training he's been telling us to press and get up the pitch and I feel like sometimes that has to come from the players.”
“We have to be leaders. In the games we could have united a little more and found a solution.
“Yes, we have talked about it more. If it happens again in a match, we can meet and find a solution, see where it is failing and adapt our pressing.”
