Despite securing a victory over Panama and topping their World Cup group, England's performance has drawn sharp criticism from pundits on American television. Former Premier League forward Troy Deeney led the critique, accusing wide players Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Noni Madueke of displaying "ignorant and arrogant" behavior during the match.
England secured a 2-0 win against Panama with goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, advancing to the knockout stages with an unbeaten record. However, the team's performance, particularly in the first half, frustrated viewers and analysts.
Deeney pointed to instances of lost possession by the attacking trio, noting that Madueke, who came on as a substitute, lost the ball seven times in his limited playing time. He described Rashford's tendency to cut inside and shoot as "wasteful" and suggested that the players were overly reliant on their perceived individual superiority.
"You know what they were, they were arrogant and ignorant," Deeney stated on CBS. "They felt ‘I’m quicker than that person, I am just going to run past them, I play for whatever club, I am better than that person"." He added that the players seemed to lack an understanding of the determination of their opponents.
Fellow American pundit Mike Grella questioned England's overall quality, suggesting the team might not be as proficient as their market value suggests. "This guy is worth £100m, this guy is worth £200m, you guys have got all these world beaters, maybe it is Tuchel, maybe it is Rashford, maybe it is this guy - 'Do you guys ever think you're not that good at football?'" Grella remarked.
Grella also criticized England's style of play, describing it as "slow and predictable" and lacking "street smarts." He contended that the team had played poorly in five out of the six halves of football in the tournament so far.
Former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, also part of the CBS punditry panel, concurred with Deeney's assessment. He expressed concern over England's predictability, particularly with both Rashford and Saka favoring cutting inside onto their stronger foot. Reo-Coker emphasized that "top class players don't give the ball away" and urged the team to set higher standards.
England began their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, followed by a goalless draw against Ghana, before their win against Panama. The team is scheduled to face DR Congo in the last-32 on July 1 in Atlanta. A victory would set up a tie against the winner of the match between co-hosts Mexico and Ecuador.