Declan Rice warns that England MUST sort out their tactical plan or else they’ll ‘get picked off’ by their opponents and admits the Three Lions are yet find a ‘balance’ at Euro 2024

Declan Rice has bluntly warned that England will be eliminated in the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 if they cannot come up with a better plan to win the ball high up the pitch.

Captain Harry Kane made the astonishing admission after Thursday’s dismal 1-1 draw with Denmark that the players were ‘not quite sure’ when to press or who should do it. It raises serious questions about Gareth Southgate’s coaching, with Rice revealing the England players felt ‘outnumbered’ against the Danes.

‘The further we get (in the European Championship), we’re going to play against better opponents, against more world-class players, and if you don’t get the press right, which is the most important thing on the pitch, then you’re going to get picked out, Rice said.

‘We are constantly working on our pressing. When you play with four at the back and play against a 5-2-3, the way you press will obviously be difficult because they have an extra player at the back and we are outnumbered.

“We have the extra man on our side, so it’s about finding the balance between when we can push through and when we can’t.”

Rice also revealed that the England players are feeling the pressure of expectation after the demonstration in Denmark drew sharp criticism from former internationals Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

“We are all so desperate to make the country proud,” said the Arsenal midfielder. “We are all so desperate to win, to be leaders, to give people memories for life. Sometimes I feel like we put too much pressure on ourselves.

“When we speak as a team after the game, we know that collectively we can be better. But look: two games, one win, one draw. Our aim is always to qualify and I am sure we can still do that.”

Senior England players pleaded with their teammates not to panic after Thursday’s dreadful performance.

Mail Sport understands they made a special effort to ensure the team remained calm in the dressing room after England were booed.

With around half the group taking part in their first major tournament, the senior stars stressed the importance of not letting negativity seep into the camp, with morale described as ‘stable’.

Nevertheless, there is a feeling among the players that Southgate will change the starting XI for Tuesday’s final Group C match against Slovenia in Cologne. Trent Alexander-Arnold was substituted early in the second half and his deeper role in midfield could go to Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton.

“We will look at everything,” Southgate said when asked about the changes.

There are fears in the camp that Kane’s play is being hampered by a back problem, although Southgate insists his striker is injury-free.

The manager also urged his team to embrace mounting criticism following their lackluster start. “We have to accept the level of expectation, we have to accept the arena we are in and we have to find a better way to play,” he said.

“They are running, they are giving everything, but at the moment the emotion and the way we are playing is not calm when it is needed. To get to the stages of the competition where we want to finish, we have to do better. We know that.

“We are in an intense arena and have to walk up to the challenge and understand what it is and play in a more controlled manner.”

Luke Shaw missed training again yesterday. The Manchester United defender has not played for five months due to a hamstring injury. England’s medical team had hoped Shaw would be fit enough to come off the bench against Slovenia, but if he misses Tuesday’s match his participation in the rest of the tournament would be even more in doubt.