Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs singled out Dele Alli for criticism ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
Gareth Southgate’s side have secured a place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a last-gasp and unconvincing 1-0 victory over Slovenia on Thursday night.
But few have been impressed by a laboured World Cup qualification campaign in which few of England’s leading players have replicated their club form at international level.
In the moments leading up to kick-off on Sunday evening, pundit Giggs told ITV’s live coverage of the clash from Lithuania that Alli has not been good enough for his country.
“‘Yes [it’s disappointing],” Giggs said. “When you fall underneath the quality you have shown at your club which these England players have.
“You see Kyle Walker, Dele Alli playing well for their clubs. But when they play for their country you don’t see same quality.
‘The character and excitement isn’t there from when they play at their clubs.”
OPINION
Given Giggs’ standing in the game, his criticism will hurt Alli. It might be a little unfair, given that the Spurs ace was suspended on Thursday and played no part in the dreadful display against Slovenia. But there is more than a grain of truth to Giggs’ verdict. Perhaps only Adam Lallana, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane have been anything other than bang average during qualifying. Alli, like many others, shrinks in the white shirt of England and he has not been able to build upon his impressive early showings for the national side.