Spence Illuminates, The Big Three Dim: England’s Dangerous Disconnect

England arrived with expectation but produced a puzzling, flat performance that exposed lingering structural faults. The match felt less like a failure of individuals and more like a failure of connection — midfield to attack, and plan to execution. Fans left uneasy; coaches should be too.

Djed Spence cut through the fog with the kind of wing-play England rarely see — direct, disciplined and dangerous. His recoveries, crosses and moments of audacity repeatedly troubled the opposition and offered a template for how to unpick packed defences. If anything, Spence begged to be given more of the ball and more responsibility.

By contrast, Jude Bellingham appeared disconnected, offering energy but little end product; his touches were hurried and his usual control in transition was absent. Declan Rice's influence was similarly diminished, as England surrendered midfield tempo and allowed the game to stagnate. Harry Kane, star as ever on paper, found himself isolated and misfiring — a striker dependent on supply he wasn't provided.

The Guru's prescription is blunt: restore midfield rhythm, free Bellingham with clearer responsibilities and consider rotating Kane until service returns. Trust Spence to start and demand a reset in the way England construct attacks, or risk this disjointed form becoming a tournament problem.