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Rio Ferdinand insists he'd be 'going MAD at Harry Kane' after the England captain's first half performance vs Denmark... as Micah Richards blasts Gareth Southgate's tactics as 'not good enough'

5 months ago 23

By Ed Carruthers

Published: 18:06 BST, 20 June 2024 | Updated: 18:42 BST, 20 June 2024

Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand have hit out at Gareth Southgate's tactics following England's first-half performance against Denmark on Thursday. 

After Harry Kane gave England the lead, tapping in a deflected cross from Kyle Walker, England allowed Denmark back into the game, with Morten Hjulmand striking in from outside of the penalty area. 

Both Richards and Ferdinand questioned the England captain's positioning during the match, with the ex-Manchester United defender stating that if he was playing, he'd be growing frustrated at the Bayern forward for his lacklustre work rate. 


'I'd be going mad [at Kane]. I'd be screaming,' Ferdinand told BBC Sport at half-time. 'I couldn't have my centre-forward not filling in with the same workload that the other players are putting in. 

'I need to see the same workload and intensity [from Kane]. Put their centre-half under pressure like I'm receiving as an England defender! 

Rio Ferdinand (pictured) stated that he'd be 'going mad at Harry Kane' if he was playing during the first half of England's game against Denmark

Kane (pictured) scored the opening goal for England, but Ferdinand raised concerns over his work rate

Ferdinand and Richards also questioned Gareth Southgate's (pictured) tactics with England appearing to sit too deep

Richards claimed that England were sitting too deep and he was concerned over how they were not getting the ball to Harry Kane

'It's not good enough now. I thought against Serbia it was nerves, and sometimes that can happen in a game. 

'They started better today. We have to respect Denmark as the opposition. They're really good and know what they need to do, tactically way better.

'They're just too deep, England, from the midfield. Trent and Rice in there - way too deep. Back four are too deep as well. 

'They can't get out. They're having the same problem as the first game against Serbia. 

'When we transition, Kane is so deep, there's no way out. Second half, we have to make substitutions. 

'Watkins needs to come on and stretch this game. At the moment, it's too easy for Denmark.'

With England still level with Denmark after 68 miutes, Southgate made the decision to bring on Ollie Watkins, for his first appearance at Euro 2024.

Southgate opted to make several changes during the second half, with Kane (right) coming off for Ollie Watkins 

Richards (pictured) stated his concerns at how deep England were sitting against Serbia

Despite being brought off, Kane netted his 63rd appearance for England during the match and netted his 64th goal for the Three Lions. 

Question marks had been raised over his positioning following England's 1-0 victory against Serbia on Sunday after Kane was again seen dropping deep in search of the ball and to bolster England's defence in midfield. 

But question marks have also been raised over his service inside the final third. In fact, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the England player who was most likely to pass to him during the game, finding kane six times during the match. 

Jude Bellingham was England's next best, passing to Kane five times. 

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