How England rated at EURO 2016

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

English football fans are coming to terms with the shock and disastrous early exit from the European Championships.

Beaten 2-1 by lowly Iceland on Monday night in Nice has seen Roy Hodgson and his coaching team have little option but to quit their positions.

It has been another underwhelming campaign. England failed to beat Russia and Slovakia and needed a late Daniel Sturridge winner to see off Wales. The draws against the former sides though took England into the harder section of the draw.

A quarter-final beckoned against the hosts France. That was until Iceland were dangerously underwhelmed by England’s players and their coaching team.

So, can anyone look back on this with any pride? Whose reputation was damaged the hardest? Has anyone got a right to be called on for the World Cup qualifiers which start in the autumn? With a score out of 10 over the four games, here are my ratings of each England squad member.

Joe Hart – 3/10

Joe Hart had a dreadful EURO 2016 and is now under threat

Normally a trusted source in goal and a strong leader, Joe Hart (pictured) had a tournament to forget. Two of the four goals he let in he should have comfortably saved. He accepted the blame quickly for his errors and I wouldn’t expect anything less. Nevertheless, his position as England’s no.1 must be in jeopardy now.

Kyle Walker – 6/10

He edged ahead of Nathaniel Clyne in the right-back battle after a strong performance in the final warm-up win over Portugal. Walker was impressive going forwards and didn’t disgrace himself in the group games. Unfortunately, he was found wanting vs. Iceland with his defensive duties at the long throw-in which led to the equaliser. Walker must do better in this area but he never seems to learn from these costly errors.

Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10

Nathaniel Clyne only got one chance to shine and that was in the goalless draw with Slovakia in Saint-Etienne. He was England’s best player on the night but was never severely tested defensively. It is difficult to criticise him apart from a dodgy final ball. Probably has his international reputation still intact.

Danny Rose – 5/10

Danny Rose came on strong in the final few months of the Premier League season and carried this form into the international friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands. That is where the similarities ended. Got forward well and supported the midfield but another with a poor final delivery and outjumped meekly for Russia’s late equaliser in Marseille. With Luke Shaw and Aaron Cresswell knocking on the door, Rose is another whose long-term international future is at major risk.

Ryan Bertrand – 4/10

He seemed more interested in trying to poleaxe Peter Pekarik in the Slovakia game. Only impression he made on the competition was on Pekarik’s nose and the referee’s notebook. Bertrand has blown his chance with England. He will be consigned to the international scrapheap.

Gary Cahill – 6/10

Cahill was always walking a tightrope after picking up a silly booking in the opening group game against Russia. He managed his discipline well afterwards but lacked the leadership required at centre-back. He doesn’t seem to have learned much from John Terry at Chelsea. Cahill might survive the cull because of lack of central defensive options.

Chris Smalling – 6/10

Whoever takes over must make Chris Smalling the spine of this team. It wasn’t Smalling’s finest competition but you couldn’t fault him for effort and commitment. It was a solid, if unspectacular tournament from a player who will continue to improve for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United next season.

Eric Dier – 7/10

Eric Dier was England's standout player at EURO 2016 by some distance

Perhaps it says a lot when I think Eric Dier (pictured) was England’s Player of the Tournament. Dier is probably the only player who comes out of EURO 2016 with an enhanced reputation. He was composed against Russia and scored a stunning free-kick. Looked calm in possession and offered the defensive shield required. Still some careless passing at times and hooked at half-time against Iceland but you can’t single Dier out for any dire criticism in these championships.

Jordan Henderson – 5/10

Henderson was an auto-pick until an injury-hit season on Merseyside. Played once against Slovakia and never impacted proceedings. It was an average performance from a player who has always played better for Liverpool FC than he ever has for England.

James Milner – 3/10

Came on to protect the lead against the Russians and didn’t do the job. Milner was made the scapegoat of this draw. He can now focus on club matters because his international career looks in tatters.

Jack Wilshere – 3/10

He was Hodgson’s big fitness gamble. Like Wayne Rooney in 2006, it simply didn’t pay off. Jack Wilshere looked like a player who was rusty and lacked match sharpness. He was dismal against Slovakia and not much better on Monday night. It would have been better if he had stayed at home.

Dele Alli – 5/10

Sadly, Dele Alli was a pale shadow of the player that wowed us so much in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. Alli was made to play a withdrawn holding role in the midfield trio, which is not his natural position. His shooting was wayward too. His time will come at this level but needs to be utilised better.

Raheem Sterling – 2/10

Still only 21 but Raheem Sterling’s confidence looks completely shot. He was frustrating to watch from minute one of England’s campaign. Missed a sitter against Wales, then bizarrely recalled on Monday night. Won the penalty but did nothing else. Huge period beckons because if Pep Guardiola doesn’t rate him, he will be surplus to requirements for Manchester City too. Sterling will bounce back but a spell out of the international limelight will do him the power of good.

Adam Lallana – 6/10

Adam Lallana was England’s most consistent attacking player in the group stages. He linked up well with the midfield and forwards and had a better final delivery than most. Lacked the end product required which he must improve on. Harshly dropped against Iceland and with Sadio Mane now joining Liverpool FC from Southampton, could get used to a bench-warming role for both club and country.

Harry Kane – 4/10

It was a nightmare for Harry Kane in France. He looked tired throughout and never got a clear sight of goal. His set-pieces were simply hopeless. Kane will remain part of England’s future but he hasn’t delivered now in two major international competitions. Unless you support Arsenal, I think everyone will hope his lacklustre performances were down to just fatigue.

Wayne Rooney – 6/10

I don’t think Wayne Rooney now knows what his best position is on the field and that is a concern. He was placed in midfield to accommodate him in the team. Played very well in the opener against Russia and dictated the fightback over Wales too but didn’t inspire leadership in defeat to Iceland. Dropped once and substituted twice suggested a lack of trust between manager and captain too. Rooney should remain the skipper in the short-term but his long-term role needs to be addressed first.

Jamie Vardy – 6/10

It has been an amazing rise to prominence for Jamie Vardy. He is now a Premier League record-breaker and a title winner with Leicester City. He made a big difference in the win over Wales, scoring the equaliser but didn’t make an impact against Slovakia or Iceland. It was a so-so tournament for Vardy. Might remain in the setup but probably only as a backup from the bench.

Daniel Sturridge – 6/10

An infuriating figure and EURO 2016 demonstrated this. Daniel Sturridge scored the injury-time winner against Wales and cherished his moment in the spotlight. He still looked like he was carrying an injury and failed to make any significant contribution afterwards. You can see why Jurgen Klopp doesn’t trust him completely for Liverpool FC. On his day, Sturridge is world-class but he doesn’t have enough of these days in both forms of the game.

Marcus Rashford – 6/10

The bright spark for the future and Marcus Rashford took it all in his stride. He came on and posed his presence on the Welsh defence in Lens and arguably was England’s man-of-the-match against Iceland. He played in that game for only five minutes! England have a talent to look after and so do Manchester United. This was valuable experience for Rashford and he should avoid any criticism that heads his way.

Tom Heaton, Fraser Forster, John Stones & Ross Barkley – N/A

The two back-up goalkeepers and both Everton players didn’t figure at EURO 2016. Hence they don’t get a rating. Stones will surely figure prominently in England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers whilst Barkley was a wasted pick. Andros Townsend was a better option. The goalkeepers will now be putting serious pressure on Joe Hart in the upcoming months ahead.