“Those ex-players never got past a quarter-final” - Chelsea hero John Terry blasts pundits for criticising Gareth Southgate during Euro 2024

Legendary Chelsea defender John Terry has defended head coach Gareth Southgate, who has taken his team to the Euro 2024 semi-finals, from criticism from former Three Lions players.

Touted as one of the title contenders at the start of the tournament in Germany, the Three Lions haven't been entirely convincing. Nevertheless, they reached the knockouts as group winners.

However, they were seconds away from elimination before a last-gasp Jude Bellingham equalizer against Slovakia forced extra time, where the Euro 2020 finalists scored again to take the win.

Southgate's side also fell behind in the quarterfinal with Switzerland, but Bukayo Saka's brilliant equalizer forced extra time, and eventually penalties. The Three Lions produced a 'perfect' shootout to book a last-four clash with the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10).

The two labored performances in the knockout games drew criticism from former defender Rio Ferdinand and striker Alan Shearer. Terry has come to the rescue, though, saying on Instagram Live (via SportBible):

"Funny how all of these ex-players and pundits think England are good again all of a sudden. I couldn't give a s*** how we play as long as we win. Those ex-players and pundits never got past a quarter-final by the way.

Terry added:

"I am all about getting out the group me, no matter how you do it, get out the group. Look at Argentina in the World Cup, lose their first game and go on to win it. Greece 2004, very average team go on and win it.

"Tough couple of games (coming up) though, Holland in the semis and then France or Spain in the final. I think we'd all agree if we get to the final, we need to be better, but in a one-off game, I actually fancy us against anybody, I think this group are special."

The former Chelsea defender concluded with a shoutout to Southgate, who's out of contract at the end of the year:

"I think the mental state Gareth has got them in and has done over the last four or six years is superb."

England are looking to reach their second straight European Championship final, hoping to end a 58-year-old major-title drought.

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How many Chelsea players are still active at Euro 2024?

Chelsea have had eight players at the ongoing Euro 2024 in Germany, but only four of them are still active as the competition moves into the semi-final stage. They are - Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher for England, Marc Cucurella for Spain, and Ian Maatsen for the Netherlands.

France takes on Spain in the first Euro 2024 last-four clash on Tuesday (July 9) in Munich before England and the Netherlands lock horns the next day in Dortmund as a place in the Berlin final on Sunday (July 14) beckons.

Among the quartet, only the Three Lions haven't won the Euros before, with Spain winning three titles (1964, 2008, 2012), France two (1984, 2000) and the Netherlands one (1988).