England's players reportedly didn't hold back in a frank team meeting after their World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.
England's World Cup review has reportedly been anything but polite. Players are understood to have shared strong views in a team meeting after their semi-final defeat by Argentina, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham among those who spoke up.
The session is said to have been honest and direct, which is what you would expect from a group that came so close to a World Cup final and fell at the last hurdle. Losing at that stage leaves little room for sugar-coating, and the squad appears to have used the moment to say what needed saying.
Kane and Bellingham are two of the most influential voices in the dressing room, so their contributions will carry weight. Their willingness to speak openly points to a team that is hurting, but also one that wants to learn from the loss rather than bury it.
The next question is what England do with those conversations. Honest post-tournament reviews can strengthen a group, or expose cracks if they aren't handled well. With the disappointment still fresh, the manager and senior players will be judged on how they turn frank words into progress.
