​England were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the semi-finals after a 2-1 defeat to Argentina, despite taking the early lead through Anthony Gordon. The Three Lions ceded possession and elected to sit deep, inviting wave after wave of Argentine pressure that ultimately broke through. Much of the criticism for the defensive retreat has been directed at manager Thomas Tuchel. He, however, attributed the issue to the English players’ DNA, arguing that holding onto the ball is not part of their football culture.
Graeme Souness voiced his dissatisfaction with England’s midfield play, saying he didn’t see enough control from the engine room. He had hoped Declan Rice and Jack Elliott Anderson would seize the initiative, keep England on the front foot after taking the lead, and push the team forward. Souness compared them to Spain’s Rodri before stating, via Sports Uncensored, that “the two midfielders (Rice and Anderson) are limited.” He went further, suggesting that Rice “might be a centre half” in the right system.
Souness argues that Rice and Anderson must demonstrate more on the ball beyond merely recycling possession. The issue, in his view, is not about forcefully driving balls through lines, but about understanding time and space, and about controlling the game with ball in a way that buys teammates an extra fraction of a second to receive and attack. Rice’s performance has been difficult at times, partly due to a bout of illness that has hindered his impact, though he remains a world-class operator when fit. Anderson, for his part, has room to grow and could benefit from insights gained from playing alongside Rodri at Manchester City, who consistently demonstrates how to dictate tempo and influence matches.
England’s players and coaching staff now have a clear moment to regroup. The national team has another chance to redeem themselves at the 2028 European Championship, where midfield dominance will be crucial if they hope to progress further. Tuchel’s assertion that the issue lies in their DNA will need addressing through tactical adaptation and development in upcoming qualifiers and friendly matches, where a more proactive approach in the midfield could help prevent the kind of pressure that overwhelmed them in that World Cup semi-final.