England players 'need to step it up' as Butcher sends message to Southgate ahead of Slovenia Euro 2024 clash
England legend Terry Butcher has opened up on Gareth Southgate's side ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia
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Terry Butcher says England can still go all the way at the Euros - as long as Gareth Southgate shows his ruthless side.
The legendary centre-back - capped 77 times for England - believes the tournament remains “wide-open”.
But he has urged the Three Lions manager to make changes for their final group game against Slovenia on Tuesday.
Butcher, 65, who was in Birmingham hosting a corporate screening last week to see the 1-1 draw against Denmark, said: “I think England can do it, absolutely.
England legend Terry Butcher has opened up on Gareth Southgate's side ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia
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"You don’t become a bad team after one game. But the players need to step it up.
“The performance against Denmark wasn’t good enough. It was too slow.
"And too many players were off it. I’ve had more enjoyable times at the dentist than I did watching that game at times.
“Gareth Southgate needs to make big decisions if England are to win it and will need to be ruthless, but I think he’s more than capable of doing that.”
Butcher believes one area that England need to mix things up is in midfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled so far, with the Liverpool star a right-back by trade.
There are whispers he'll be benched for the match with Slovenia as Southgate's side look to finish top of their group.
And Butcher thinks dropping the Liverpool star would be the right call.
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“I wouldn’t start Trent in the last game against Slovenia,” he said.
"“He’s a brilliant player and naturally tries to switch play but I think we would benefit from someone being in there like Mainoo or Wharton who will put their foot on the ball and just allow the other players to play their game.
Butcher, now a UK leading motivational speaker, added: “For the last group game and for the rest of the tournament I just think we need to go for it a lot more and get on the front foot.
"Slovenia won’t be an easy match by any stretch but we should win it and finish top of the group.
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England icon Terry Butcher has been unimpressed by their Euro 2024 performances so far
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"Then, once you are into the knockout stages, it is a totally different kind of competition.”
Butcher shares England fans’ frustrations about England’s performances so far in Germany, but says it is possible for things to change quickly in tournament football.
Pointing to the experiences he had in the 1986 World Cup, Butcher said. “In 1986 we actually lost our first game against Portugal and drew with Morocco but then Bobby Robson changed the system for the must-win game against Poland and we then beat Paraguay with the same formation.
“We all know what happened against Argentina, but it is possible for things to change very fast and that can happen here for England, especially if Southgate follows Bobby’s example.”
England icon Terry Butcher says players must 'step it up' ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia
PA
Pinpointing where he thinks the biggest rivals might emerge from for England, Butcher said: “In terms of the tournament so far Germany and Spain have looked really strong.
"Rodri in midfield for Spain is a class act, and Germany, being the host nation, have a bit of an advantage as well.
"But France has a great chance too. I do think it's a very open tournament. It’s there for the taking if England wants it and that’s the frustrating thing.
“But I do think Gareth has got it in him to be ruthless, and has the bravery to make the changes we need to turn things around and go all the way.”
To learn more about Terry’s predictions, please follow him at the Motivational Speakers Agency.