England midfielder Eberechi Eze says the team remain in a βbuildingβ phase after two disappointing performances at Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgateβs men opened their campaign with an underwhelming 1-0 defeat of Serbia on Sunday night before a listless display in drawing 1-1 with Denmark yesterday.
England still top Group C but the nature of the performance against the Danes, in particular, has led to widespread criticism of Southgate and his players.
But Eze, who came on as a second-half substitute in Frankfurt, is refusing to panic.
Major tournament debuts for @EbereEze10 and Ollie Watkins last night π« pic.twitter.com/2KDsvcwF6D
β England (@England) June 21, 2024
He told the Independent: βIβd say weβre staying calm, we know the potential weβve got.
βWeβre building, weβre getting towards the level that we know we can play at. Ultimately, weβll stay calm, weβve got four points and thereβs more to improve. No stress, weβre not panicking.
βTournament football is a rollercoaster. This is my first one but thatβs what they [his team-mates] are all saying. As long as you stay calm and positive, youβll be fine.
βOf course, we wanted to get three points, we want to put in performances that we know weβre capable of but this is what happened at the last tournament and no one remembers it when you reach the latter stages.β
England captain Harry Kane was singled out for criticism after a lethargic display in which his willingness to press the opposing defenders was noticeable by its absence.
Unsurprisingly, Eze was quick to defend the Three Lionsβ record goalscorer, who netted the opener before being substituted in favour of Aston Villaβs Ollie Watkins.
He added: βH is an incredible player, always does his job for the team.
βYou guys probably look too much into that kind of stuff but a player like him, you donβt really need to question him.
βYou know heβs going to work for the team, heβs going to put in performances and score goals. Thatβs the type of player he is.β