A section of football fans took to Twitter to slam the performance of defender Michael Keane in England’s 3-0 win over the USA on Thursday.
Keane made the starting XI in the centre of defence alongside international debutant Lewis Dunk after a remarkable turnaround for Everton this season under Marco Silva, which has seen him flourish alongside Kurt Zouma.
He was given the full 90 minutes in this friendly at Wembley and managed to keep the USA attack fairly quiet alongside Dunk – but Toffees fans were still not pleased with his display, with some comments including “seen milk turn quicker” and “same pace as a sloth”.
COMMENTARY
Even though England were playing weaker opposition like the USA, it seems like Keane cannot escape the criticism of the supporters. He has been incredible for Everton this season, and his turnaround since Marco Silva took the hotseat has been remarkable. It is thanks to him that Keane has earned international call-ups for both of the games against the USA and Croatia, and it is safe to say that he did not do that badly. He is relatively inexperienced at this level – and playing alongside Dunk, who has no England experience to his name, it is clear that he coped rather well. Yes, there were some passes that he could have picked out better, but on the whole, his performance is nothing to be worried about. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but it was rather harsh for fans to destroy him in the way that they have done here.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/thisisntxav/status/1063146410424578050
https://twitter.com/Vthota111/status/1063169357415677952
Ashley Williams > Michael Keane
— brookie (@__brookie1) November 15, 2018
Said it before and I’ll say it again, Michael Keane is absolute pony
— Neil (@Neil_Last93) November 15, 2018
HOW is Michael Keane in the England squad????
— Steven (@StevenDownes_) November 15, 2018
Why can’t Michael Keane pass a ball, playing sound this year like but doesn’t half make a difference when the cb can pick a pass
— Connor (@conburton) November 15, 2018
Must be better defenders than Michael Keane. Turns like a bus…Same pace as a sloth. #ENGvUSA
— Matthew Smith (@mafusmif) November 15, 2018
Michael Keane is an absolute carthorse and should be nowhere near this England team. Seen milk turn quicker.
— Shane Roberts (@shane10roberts) November 15, 2018