English midfielder Kalvin Phillips has admitted that the Three Lions must loosen up and “take a few more risks” on the ball when they face better resistance in the knockout phases of Euro 2020.
England came through the quarter-finals as Group D winners, but were quite disappointing and largely uninspiring in the future, scoring only twice in the three matches against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic.
But as the quality of their opposition increases, beginning with Tuesday’s massive 16 round with Germany, Phillips has argued that everyone on the team must be more willing to take risks.
Asked what England need to do to improve, the Leeds man told Sky Sports: “Be more confident when we may be on the ball, take a few more risks – me personally too.
“I’m new to the team so I do not really want to risk the ball too much and lose some confidence. But at the same time I’m in a big tournament so I have to show what I can do and hopefully I can do it in the next game.
Kalvin Phillips enjoyed a great season with Leeds United / Stu Forster / Getty Images
“You feel like you do not want to lose the ball if something happens. It’s in everyone’s head – no one wants to lose the ball and Germany go up the pitch and score goals. So it’s just a matter of being brave on the pitch and being confident and being positive too. “
The midfielder was included in Gareth Southgate’s last 26-man squad for the European Championships after a very impressive debut campaign in the Premier League. The 25-year-old is the only outfielder in the England squad to have played in every minute of his Euro 2020 campaign so far.
He mainly participated in one of the performances in the tournament in England’s opener against Croatia, with a tireless show and helped Raheem Sterling’s winner.
