Jose Mourinho has suggested that Luke Shaw should have taken a penalty in the shootout ahead of other players in England's loss to Italy last night.
Even though Jordan Pickford saved two spot-kicks, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were unable to convert their efforts which saw England's quest to secure a historical major trophy fail at the final hurdle.
In the aftermath of Italy's Euro 2020 victory, Gareth Southgate has faced criticism due to his choice of penalty takers which he has insisted was based on performances in training and entirely his decision.
Mourinho, who was recently appointed as Roma manager, believed that more senior players such as Shaw, John Stones and Raheem Sterling should have put themselves forward to take a penalty.
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When the Portuguese manager was speaking to talkSport, he said: "For Saka to have the destiny of a country on his shoulders, I think it is too much for a kid to have everything on his shoulders in this moment.
"But I do not know if I have to ask that question to Gareth [Southgate] or not. Because many times what happens is that players who should be there, they are not there. Players who should be there, they run away from responsibility.
"Gareth is such an honest guy and a protective coach that I do not believe he would ever say player A or player B ran away or told me they were not ready to [take a penalty].
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"I do not know in this case, but I do not think it matters if you are a great penalty taker or not. In this situation, where was [Raheem] Sterling? Where was [John] Stones and where was Luke Shaw?
"And why [Jordan] Henderson or [Kyle] Walker did not stay on the pitch? In reality, it is very hard for Rashford and Sancho to come and take a penalty after one touch of the ball."
Featured Image Credit: Credit: PATopics: Jose Mourinho, Euro 2020, England, Luke Shaw, Italy, Raheem Sterling, John Stones
