TAA reveals England player didn't want to take penalty

England's quest for a first major tournament win in 58 years remained alive after another late fightback before beating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to book their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold converted their penalties to send England into a semi-final meeting with the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.

The Liverpool star was caught in a relaxed chat with a friend after his side's victory celebration. He was still wearing his England kit and was exchanging impressions without raising his voice too much. Even so, he could be heard saying "He didn't wanna take one", suggesting that one of Gareth Southgate's men did not want to take a penalty.

Fans suggest it was Phil Foden because he is the one who came off the pitch with just five minutes left on the clock. It would make sense of the manager's decision, who was no longer going to have any room for the introduction of the substitute to make a major impact on the pitch. Shortly before, he had also introduced Ivan Toney for Harry Kane.

 

July 7, 2024

It would have made more sense for him to have rejected such a level of pressure than Bukayo Saka, who was the subject of countless racist insults when he missed his shot in the final of Euro 2021.

In that match against Italy, Marcus Rashford, who was not called up this summer, and Jadon Sancho, in the same situation, also missed out on scoring. As a result, attention is turning to others, but it should be noted that the conversation that has sparked the controversy lacks context and should be taken with caution.