Troy Deeney was less than impressed with three key England players following the 2-0 win against Panama. Thomas Tuchel's men secured a place in the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds as winners of their group, but didn't set the world alight.
It took two second-half goals to see off the only nation in the entire competition that failed to score a goal in any game. That unwanted record almost evaporated in the dying moments, but the offside flag spared the England defenders' blushes.
Thomas Tuchel made five changes from his previous line-up, but things didn't exactly go to plan. Supporters were heavily critical of Morgan Rogers, one of the introductions to the starting XI. Deeney, on the other hand, has taken aim at three more England stars.
Troy Deeney Unhappy With Three Lions Trio
England Players Celebrate vs PanamaJeenah Moon via Reuters
Speaking on CBS Sports' coverage of the game, the ex-Watford striker was extremely critical of three attacking players. More specifically, he took aim at Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, as well as Marcus Rashford.
"Have a look at the possessions lost, 14 for Saka, 20 for Rashford and 7 for Madueke," Deeney said. "That’s fine if when you’re playing you’re being really incisive with the passing, little flicks around the corner."
Specifically taking aim at Madueke and Rashford, the striker-turned-pundit continued: "If you watch that game, Madueke, when he first came on he kicked it past someone and kicked it out for a goal kick. Am I meant to get excited about that?
"Rashford kept coming in on his right foot and wants to shoot and if that’s not I’ll kick it, someone will be there. It was so wasteful."
After being unimpressed with the Three Lions as a whole, Deeney was then even more disappointed by the wingers in the second period, in which 'they got worse'.
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Referring back to the possession lost statistics, which were shown on screen, the 37-year-old continued to fume. In his most damning statement yet, Deeney labelled the underperforming stars 'ignorant and arrogant'. He said:
"You know what they were? They were arrogant and ignorant. They thought all they need to do was run past them. I play for whatever club, I’m better than that person.
"They were ignorant and arrogant and that graphic summed it up in a nutshell."
Deeney 'Can't Stand' Another England Player
Troy Deeney
They aren't the only England stars to get on Deeney's nerves in the last week. Tottenham full-back Djed Spence looks likely to have a bigger role to play in the knockout rounds due to Reece James and Jarrel Quansah's injuries.
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However, Deeney claimed he 'can't stand' the Spurs ace defensively just a few days ago. Speaking to Jim White and Simon Jordan on talkSPORT, he expressed his concerns:
"When we’re saying Spence, who is our left-back option, is now going to be our right-back option, I really struggle to put in my mind’s eye and say why have we not got Lewis Hall there?
"I do worry, if we go to Spence, sorry, I can’t stand him defensively, I think he switches off."