Emile Heskey on England, Jude Bellingham and Gary Lineker ahead of seismic Switzerland clash

Heskey was part of the England side that made the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup before losing to Brazil.

He was also in the squad two years later as the Three Lions crashed out to Portugal on penalties.

And Heskey was involved in the 2010 World Cup, too, with England losing 4-1 to Germany as their hopes of glory went up in smoke.

These days, the players are different. Expectations, however, remain the same.

England will go up against Switzerland on Saturday night hoping to continue their stuttering charge towards Euro 2024 glory.

They are the favourites to go through but have come under fire due to their inconsistent performances out in Germany so far.

England, in short, have looked flat. Worryingly so, at times.

Heskey thinks the Three Lions must do better. In his eyes, 'better balance' is required if they're to finally end 58 years of hurt this summer.

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Speaking exclusively to GB News, via 888Sport, he said: "England have been playing the same way for a while so it’s no different to any other game they have played really.

"The build up must be quicker, we need more energy.

"On the pitch to progress through the lines and the balance must be better on the left and have more attacking players on the pitch to score goals."

One player to find himself in the spotlight is Jude Bellingham.

Without his sensational goal against Slovakia on Sunday, the 21-year-old and the rest of his team-mates would already be at home.

But some fear Bellingham is becoming too big for his boots after his 'why him?' celebration last time out.

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Not Heskey, however. The former England star believes there's a difference between confidence and arrogance - and that Bellingham is playing with the former.

"Jude has a just do attitude on the pitch," he said.

"It’s a case of don’t overthink it on the pitch and he has confidence he can do great things.

"It’s not arrogance at all, it’s a belief in himself and what he can do on the pitch.

"It’s a case of 'I’m going to be the man on the pitch to deliver.'

"He is young and you need the belief in yourself to deliver and that’s exactly what he did against Slovakia."

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One of England's biggest critics at the tournament has been Gary Lineker.

The BBC pundit called the Three Lions' performance against Denmark 's**t', sparking controversy in the process.

The likes of Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate have, consequently, faced some awkward questions about Lineker.

Yet Heskey insists players shouldn't pay too much attention to his comments, saying the 63-year-old is simply doing 'what he's paid to do'.

"Critics will be critics. It’s what they are paid to do, so they have to give their opinion," he added.

"They’ve played the game so they are entitled to their opinion.

"The toughest job is being on the touchline and for me the subs are being brought on a little too late.

"You see what Ivan Toney did when he came on. A little earlier and it could have been even better."

Switzerland will be England's toughest test yet, especially after their win over Italy last Saturday.

Heskey, however, thinks Southgate's side will ultimately be too tough to handle.

"My prediction is a 3-1 win for England," he said.