England midfielder Adam Wharton has revealed what Prince William told the dejected Three Lions in the dressing room after their disappointing draw with Denmark.
After labouring to a 1-0 win over Serbia in their Euros opener, England were expected to produce an improved and more coherent performance against the Danes.
But England continued to underwhelm on Thursday night, drawing 1-1 in a display that suggests their tag as Euro 2024 favourites is misguided.
England took an early lead, just as they did against Serbia, but once again allowed their opponents back into the game as Morten Hjulmand’s long-range strike cancelled out Harry Kane’s 18th-minute tap-in.
Sitting top of Group C ahead of their final group game against Slovenia on Tuesday, England are almost guaranteed to reach the knockout stages but there are huge doubts over the team’s ability to win a first major trophy since 1966.
Prince William attended England’s deflating draw with Denmark and attempted to lift the spirits in the camp during a visit to the dressing room after the game.
He urged England’s players to keep calm and not to overreact to a performance that led to boos from fans inside the stadium and stinging criticism from pundits.
‘He was just trying to keep us all positive,’ revealed England’s Adam Wharton, who is yet to get any minutes at the Euros. ‘He was saying it’s not the end of the world.
‘We were thinking we’re still top of the group, we didn’t lose, we got a draw, we’ve just got to reflect on the game – to see how we can get better and look forward to the next game. That’s all you can do in tournament football.’
England conclude the group stage against Slovenia on Tuesday night and Jordan Pickford insist it is not the time to panic despite two underwhelming displays.
The Three Lions goalkeeper said: ‘We are fine, we are chilled, it is tournament football, you have to enjoy the moment while you are here.
‘We have got four points and we are top of the group. We know we can do a lot better in the games, but we haven’t been beaten.
‘We have the same points after two games as the last two tournaments and I would say we are calm. The outside noise is that we have to perform come Tuesday but there is no need to panic.
‘For me personally, we know we haven’t peaked yet. Everyone is behind the manager. Everything we do in training and the meetings we have he delivers them brilliantly for us and gets us the right game plan.
‘We weren’t perfect against Denmark, but that is a good feeling because we know we can improve. The narrative is going to change when we start peaking but for now it is all about Tuesday.’
Crystal Palace star Wharton, meanwhile, insists he is ready to feature in England’s midfield despite Southgate complaining that he doesn’t have a ‘natural replacement’ for Kalvin Phillips, who starred at Euro 2020 but missed out on this tournament after a dismal season.
Southgate is expected to make changes to England’s midfielder against Slovenia after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice’s struggles so far in Germany.
‘I have got belief that no matter who, where, when I play football that I can affect a game so you have to think like that,’ said Wharton, 20.
‘If I think I can’t handle this, then what am I doing here? The way I look at it now, I believe I can affect any game I play in so I am just making sure I am ready if I am called upon to help.’
