England fans have taken to Twitter to savage Everton defender Michael Keane for his defensive howler in the first half of the Euro 2020 qualifying match against Kosovo.
The centre-back was at fault for the visitors’ shock early goal at St. Mary’s on Tuesday evening, casually misplacing a pass on the edge of his own box to allow Fidan Aliti to slip in Valon Barisha for a simple opener.
It was a dreadful error, and one that was not at all becoming of an international defender.
In fairness to the Toffees’ star, he did turn provider at the right end when he rose highest from a corner to power a header into the path of Raheem Sterling for a point blank equaliser, but for many, that was not enough to absolve his initial mistake.
Here are some of the best tweets from international supporters.
Omg Keane ???
— Hollers (@JackHollers) September 10, 2019
Michael Keane dear lord
— Jack (@SaintJack98) September 10, 2019
Cheers Keane sons crying
— tedrg (@tedrg_) September 10, 2019
Keane will not want to see this one again in a hurry.
The manner in which he strokes the ball into the path of an opposition player is downright worrying, and while ordinarily you might attribute that to a lapse in concentration, it occurred less than a minute into the match, and there should really be no excuse for that kind of lackadaisical behaviour at this level.
So far this season, the 26-year-old has a pass completion rate of 82.7% for Everton, which in itself is decent enough, but as per Whoscored, he has misplaced an average of 6.5 short passes per match.
That kind of thing isn’t always fatal, and you can’t expect a player to find a teammate every single time, but as was proven against Kosovo, all it takes is one capitulation and you will be punished at the highest level.
Wow what a start and what a horror for Keane…..#ENGKOS
— Mark Whittle (@MarkWhittle1) September 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/brogangowthorpe/status/1171495482524196869?s=20
As for Keane’s defensive ability, there are no real question marks.
So far this term he has averaged 1.5 interceptions and 1.3 blocks per game, as well as an impressive 5.8 clearances, as per Whoscored.
He is, in many respects, an old school centre-half – no-frills, no-nonsense, just stop the ball from going in the net.
The issue he has is that Gareth Southgate wants a more modern player, capable of taking possession, playing short, and striding out from the back when required.
As was proven in the first half against Kosovo, Keane is not necessarily the man for that job, and you can’t help feeling that when John Stones or somebody of that ilk is fit again, the Evertonian may be given the shove.
https://twitter.com/Joeseppi31/status/1171495479269396480?s=20
https://twitter.com/Jacobpricedj/status/1171495916622139394?s=20