England: the delicate equation of attackers

The English supporters remain unsatisfied at the start of the Euro. And that's an understatement given the gang's potential strike force at Harry Kane, who has only found the net once in two matches at Wembley. A goal, the work of Raheem Sterling against Croatia (1-0), certainly enough for the subjects of his Majesty to see the knockout stages. But insufficient performance symbolized by the goalless draw against the Scottish neighbor and enemy on Friday (0-0). "

A fierce Scotland hangs over an indigestible England

" will headline the

Daily Mail

on Saturday

with a photo of Harry Kane with his head in the grass.

Laconic, the cliché perfectly sums up the evening of an arch-favorite English team against the Scots on the edge of the abyss after their early defeat against the Czech Republic, which the Three Lions find this Tuesday (9 p.m.) for a match decisive for the attribution of the first place of group D. And for this match, a whole bunch of questions remain in particular about the offensive sector, completely amorphous against the eleven of the thistle. Replaced each time at the end of the match, Harry Kane crystallizes these questions. As out of form after a grueling season with Tottenham, the captain of the selection (27) was never dangerous during the first two matches, counting onlya single strike out of frame in a too poor record symbolized by ten small balls affected in the first half on Friday. His coach Gareth Southgate reiterated his confidence in him on Sunday: "

His presence is fundamental and not just for the goals he is going to set.

It has a preponderant role in the construction as in everything it brings.

"

To read also: Tops / Flops England-Scotland: A Scottish midfielder at the height, Harry Kane very blunt

Doubts about Phil Foden

"

Harry Kane is the player who must keep his place

," was carried away Alan Shearer, editorialist for the

BBC

during the Euro.

Let’s stop thinking about leaving our leader and captain to the side, he’s the Premier League’s top scorer and passer, it would be ridiculous to put him on the bench

”.

The former scorer of the selection (30 goals in 63 matches) refutes the thesis of a line of attack to be reviewed in its entirety: "

I read that it was necessary to review the line of attack in its entirety against the Czechs, but that is absurd.

"

Read also: Harry Kane, Patrik Schick and Scotland: five reasons to follow the Euro this Tuesday

In addition to the thorny question of the star center forward, also at the heart of rumors of transfers sending him to Manchester City, these are two potential future teammates who question as much since their ghostly performance against Scotland.

Yet decisive against Croatia, Phil Foden (who had touched the post from the start) and Raheem Sterling (only scorer of the match) see their presence at the kick-off questioned by the British press.

“

Foden and Sterling have not brought anything in terms of creativity,

regretted Gary Neville at the microphone of the ITV channel

.

They appeared very tired.

"

Jack Grealish replaced Phil Foden for the last half hour against Scotland (0-0).

FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA / AFP

Grealish and Sancho expected by the people

The talent of the two men is not questioned, their physical and mental wear a little more. Especially since if Foden (21 years old) asserts himself a little more as the future of England, Sterling (27 years old) had a very complicated end of the season with the Citizens. The only tournament scorer for the Three Lions could benefit from some rest. Especially since behind the two men, Gareth Southgate enjoys a veritable plethora of offensive options with Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and other Jadon Sancho. The latter's case is also the subject of lively controversy across the Channel and elsewhere. "

A team that leaves Sancho aside twice in a row must be exceptional in attack

“, Quipped the German journalist Raphael Honigstein, well placed to know the exploits of the player of the Londoner (21), who compiled 16 goals and 20

assists

last year with Dortmund.

Left on the bench against Scotland, the player from the Manchester City training center was not even listed on the scoresheet at the opening against Croatia. This had sparked its flood of criticism from the British supporters, just as quick to demand the return of Jack Grealish, whose name was chanted in Wembley on Friday. Not come into play in the first match, the captain of Aston Villa (25), international only since last September, tried somehow to dynamite the last half hour of play. Sufficient to claim a starting place against the Czechs? "

Establishing Jack Grealish would be beneficial for the creativity of the team,

prophesies Alan Shearer

. He would bring freshness up front and an additional threat in the one-on-one, something that Foden, Sterling and Mount failed to do as against Croatia.

One thing is certain, a wake-up call is expected at Wembley on Tuesday.