ALAN SHEARER has told the doubters there is no need to “panic” about England’s poor warm-up results.
But the former Three Lions captain wants boss Gareth Southgate to release the handbrake and let the flair players ATTACK.
Shearer – scorer of 30 goals in 63 internationals – is in Germany with the BBC for the duration of the 17th edition of the Euros.
Concerns have been raised about the England defence following the 1-0 defeats at Wembley at the hands of Brazil and Iceland.
Plus they had to rely on a very late Jude Bellingham goal to rescue a 2-2 draw with Belgium in March.
Yet Shearer, 53, has complete faith the talented offensive players will shine abroad – provided they are given licence to do so.
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The Newcastle icon said: “I wouldn’t have had an international career if we were judged on friendlies.
“I hadn’t scored for nearly two years in the friendlies leading up to Euro 96.
“I wouldn’t read too much into results leading up to a major tournament.
“Once you get started, once you get the feel of things and the atmosphere, then that’s the place to be judged.
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“I wouldn’t panic too much with that Iceland result.
“There are concerns obviously defensively. I think everyone can see that.
“But I think from midfield to going forward, whatever front six he decides to put out are as good as anywhere in world football.
“So, I hope that we can go and attack games and let our flair players do their stuff. And show the world what we are made of.
“We have some unbelievable players. The talent we have got. Look at the season that Phil Foden has had.
“Harry Kane has been unbelievable. Bellingham. Cole Palmer is an opportunity. Bukayo Saka is an option. Anthony Gordon is an option.
“Declan Rice has had an unbelievable season with Arsenal. The talent is there, no doubt about it.
“This team and these players have got the right mentality and the ability to go all the way through this tournament.
“I think it is the best pool of players we have had for a long, long time. We can be optimistic.
“Forget about what has gone on in previous games. This group of players are really talented and I think they are ready to try and win this tournament.”
Jack Wilshere’s England XI vs Serbia
SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere wants Engand to start with just one holding midfielder – Declan Rice.
That means playing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield roles, with Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka on the wings, either side of Harry Kane up top.
Wilshere said: “In the group stage against teams we should beat, we can afford to be more expansive, let’s attack.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were saying we didn’t have the Spanish-type of players who can dominate the ball, now we have.
“So let’s try to utilise that, dominate the ball and go for goals.”
And the ex-England midfielder wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to get the nod at right-back, with Kyle Walker centre-back.
He added: “If you play Trent at right-back and he drifts in midfield, he can switch the play at speed. Walker’s pace will get you out of trouble.”
Read more from Jack Wilshere during Euro 2024.
Shearer, who is also signed up as a Betfair Ambassador for the tournament, warned England what to expect against Serbia.
““I think England should win the game. Serbia have Mitrovic and Vlahovic up front, if they decide to go with those two.
I think Mitrovic will definitely play, they will look to rain crosses in because that’s what he wants and demands, and he gets all the goals for them.
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“England should have far too much for them in forward positions so I would say England to win by two or three.
Opening games are never easy, a lot of the time they’re always cagey affairs, but I would think England can score two or three and win.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
