Gary Neville claims England should have given captain Harry Kane a break from international duty after expressing concern the striker is mentally exhausted.
England's summer run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia saw Kane finish as the tournament's leading scorer.
It came in his first finals as leader of the team, and Neville believes the inevitable stress Kane has been under is now showing.
He questioned whether England boss Gareth Southgate got it right by including Kane in match-day squads for both the Nations League opener against Spain and Tuesday's friendly with Switzerland.
England vs Switzerland player ratings 11 show all England vs Switzerland player ratings 1/11 Jack Butland - 6 Made some very curious and almost costly decisions in Jordan Pickford’s absence. In the first half he played a very relaxed pass across goal, which Switzerland intercepted but danger adverted. Was considerably better with his hands than he was with his feet and made a couple of good saves. REUTERS 2/11 Kyle Walker - 6 Took out the entire Switzerland defence with a brilliant cross to set up Rashford to score. Looked like he’s forgotten how to play in a back three and often left his defenders exposed by not getting across and covering for them. PA 3/11 James Tarkowski - 5 Made an error in possession on the edge of the box and was lucky to see Shaqiri fire wide. Lots of gaps between him and Walker. REUTERS 4/11 Harry Maguire - 6 Rarely stepped forward in possession, played safe passes instead. Defended reasonably well on his home ground. Getty Images 5/11 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6 Got forward enough but there was a slight shortcoming when he got into the final third. Always tried to be positive, but Kieran Trippier’s place is probably safe. AFP/Getty Images 6/11 Danny Rose - 8 Was easily England’s best player in the first half and provided a really good attacking outlet as well as tracking back. Very good performance, and one that Luke Shaw might be concerned about. AFP/Getty Images 7/11 Eric Dier - 5 Although they did not have a large number of attacking players, there was a feeling that Switzerland got behind England’s midfield a little too easily in the first half, which is down to Dier to prevent. Getty Images 8/11 Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5 Lacked an intelligence and attacking instinct which suggests he is a little sluggish, presumably due to his lack of playing time. For example, he was loitering on the edge of the box for an early cut back instead of darting towards the penalty spot where he could have scored from. AP 9/11 Fabian Delph - 5 Made some attacking runs and always wanted possession. Did okay and provided a lot of energy to the midfield, but not too much else. AFP/Getty Images 10/11 Marcus Rashford - 8 Took his goal well and showed a good amount of composure to convert Walker’s cross from close range. Probably the player that Switzerland feared the most. His direct running was useful in getting England up the pitch and into attacking areas. Did not have a huge number of chances to score, but he continued to show he can be a viable alternative to Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling. EPA 11/11 Danny Welbeck - 5 Did not have a lot of luck in front of goal and was often a little too late onto the scene when crosses came into the box. Seemed a bit disappointed to come off in the second half but may reflect that he could have done better. AP 1/11 Jack Butland - 6 Made some very curious and almost costly decisions in Jordan Pickford’s absence. In the first half he played a very relaxed pass across goal, which Switzerland intercepted but danger adverted. Was considerably better with his hands than he was with his feet and made a couple of good saves. REUTERS 2/11 Kyle Walker - 6 Took out the entire Switzerland defence with a brilliant cross to set up Rashford to score. Looked like he’s forgotten how to play in a back three and often left his defenders exposed by not getting across and covering for them. PA 3/11 James Tarkowski - 5 Made an error in possession on the edge of the box and was lucky to see Shaqiri fire wide. Lots of gaps between him and Walker. REUTERS 4/11 Harry Maguire - 6 Rarely stepped forward in possession, played safe passes instead. Defended reasonably well on his home ground. Getty Images 5/11 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6 Got forward enough but there was a slight shortcoming when he got into the final third. Always tried to be positive, but Kieran Trippier’s place is probably safe. AFP/Getty Images 6/11 Danny Rose - 8 Was easily England’s best player in the first half and provided a really good attacking outlet as well as tracking back. Very good performance, and one that Luke Shaw might be concerned about. AFP/Getty Images 7/11 Eric Dier - 5 Although they did not have a large number of attacking players, there was a feeling that Switzerland got behind England’s midfield a little too easily in the first half, which is down to Dier to prevent. Getty Images 8/11 Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5 Lacked an intelligence and attacking instinct which suggests he is a little sluggish, presumably due to his lack of playing time. For example, he was loitering on the edge of the box for an early cut back instead of darting towards the penalty spot where he could have scored from. AP 9/11 Fabian Delph - 5 Made some attacking runs and always wanted possession. Did okay and provided a lot of energy to the midfield, but not too much else. AFP/Getty Images 10/11 Marcus Rashford - 8 Took his goal well and showed a good amount of composure to convert Walker’s cross from close range. Probably the player that Switzerland feared the most. His direct running was useful in getting England up the pitch and into attacking areas. Did not have a huge number of chances to score, but he continued to show he can be a viable alternative to Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling. EPA 11/11 Danny Welbeck - 5 Did not have a lot of luck in front of goal and was often a little too late onto the scene when crosses came into the box. Seemed a bit disappointed to come off in the second half but may reflect that he could have done better. AP
"I am concerned about Harry Kane. Since 2015 he has played 175 matches and he's struggling. Forget the physical side, he needs a mental break as well," Neville said on Sky Sports.
"I don't think he should have been here for the two weeks. I think there is a welfare thing in terms of looking after players. He has not had enough of a break since 2015."
Neville suggested Kane "needs a real break and that escape" from the pressures of his responsibilities, with the 25-year-old such a key figure for his country and Tottenham.
The former Manchester United and England defender, who also had a spell as Three Lions assistant boss during Roy Hodgson's reign, said that Kane "just looks like he needs looking after".
Kane, along with most of England's starters from Saturday's game against Spain, was named as a substitute for the Switzerland friendly.
He came off the bench at the King Power Stadium to play the final half-hour as England held on for a 1-0 victory following Marcus Rashford's goal.
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Danny Rose and Marcus Rashford played well on Tuesday night, but the man whose reputation improved the most at the King Power Stadium only played 30 minutes.
John Stones came on for James Tarkowski after 60 minutes with England already 1-0 up and the game slowing down. But while Stones did not do much to turn the game, it was clear enough at the end of the evening that while he may not be England’s best player, he could well be their most important.
Gareth Southgate is a firm believer in his style of play, his new identity for the England team, which more than anything else means building up from the back. Southgate has always confidently trusted that English players were technically good enough to play this more difficult, continental style of play.
Plenty of players proved him right in the World Cup, when England got through to the semi-finals and managed to play the ball out from the back. But comparing those performances with this one, it was apparent that not everyone can play the same way.
England vs Switzerland player ratings 11 show all England vs Switzerland player ratings 1/11 Jack Butland - 6 Made some very curious and almost costly decisions in Jordan Pickford’s absence. In the first half he played a very relaxed pass across goal, which Switzerland intercepted but danger adverted. Was considerably better with his hands than he was with his feet and made a couple of good saves. REUTERS 2/11 Kyle Walker - 6 Took out the entire Switzerland defence with a brilliant cross to set up Rashford to score. Looked like he’s forgotten how to play in a back three and often left his defenders exposed by not getting across and covering for them. PA 3/11 James Tarkowski - 5 Made an error in possession on the edge of the box and was lucky to see Shaqiri fire wide. Lots of gaps between him and Walker. REUTERS 4/11 Harry Maguire - 6 Rarely stepped forward in possession, played safe passes instead. Defended reasonably well on his home ground. Getty Images 5/11 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6 Got forward enough but there was a slight shortcoming when he got into the final third. Always tried to be positive, but Kieran Trippier’s place is probably safe. AFP/Getty Images 6/11 Danny Rose - 8 Was easily England’s best player in the first half and provided a really good attacking outlet as well as tracking back. Very good performance, and one that Luke Shaw might be concerned about. AFP/Getty Images 7/11 Eric Dier - 5 Although they did not have a large number of attacking players, there was a feeling that Switzerland got behind England’s midfield a little too easily in the first half, which is down to Dier to prevent. Getty Images 8/11 Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5 Lacked an intelligence and attacking instinct which suggests he is a little sluggish, presumably due to his lack of playing time. For example, he was loitering on the edge of the box for an early cut back instead of darting towards the penalty spot where he could have scored from. AP 9/11 Fabian Delph - 5 Made some attacking runs and always wanted possession. Did okay and provided a lot of energy to the midfield, but not too much else. AFP/Getty Images 10/11 Marcus Rashford - 8 Took his goal well and showed a good amount of composure to convert Walker’s cross from close range. Probably the player that Switzerland feared the most. His direct running was useful in getting England up the pitch and into attacking areas. Did not have a huge number of chances to score, but he continued to show he can be a viable alternative to Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling. EPA 11/11 Danny Welbeck - 5 Did not have a lot of luck in front of goal and was often a little too late onto the scene when crosses came into the box. Seemed a bit disappointed to come off in the second half but may reflect that he could have done better. AP 1/11 Jack Butland - 6 Made some very curious and almost costly decisions in Jordan Pickford’s absence. In the first half he played a very relaxed pass across goal, which Switzerland intercepted but danger adverted. Was considerably better with his hands than he was with his feet and made a couple of good saves. REUTERS 2/11 Kyle Walker - 6 Took out the entire Switzerland defence with a brilliant cross to set up Rashford to score. Looked like he’s forgotten how to play in a back three and often left his defenders exposed by not getting across and covering for them. PA 3/11 James Tarkowski - 5 Made an error in possession on the edge of the box and was lucky to see Shaqiri fire wide. Lots of gaps between him and Walker. REUTERS 4/11 Harry Maguire - 6 Rarely stepped forward in possession, played safe passes instead. Defended reasonably well on his home ground. Getty Images 5/11 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6 Got forward enough but there was a slight shortcoming when he got into the final third. Always tried to be positive, but Kieran Trippier’s place is probably safe. AFP/Getty Images 6/11 Danny Rose - 8 Was easily England’s best player in the first half and provided a really good attacking outlet as well as tracking back. Very good performance, and one that Luke Shaw might be concerned about. AFP/Getty Images 7/11 Eric Dier - 5 Although they did not have a large number of attacking players, there was a feeling that Switzerland got behind England’s midfield a little too easily in the first half, which is down to Dier to prevent. Getty Images 8/11 Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5 Lacked an intelligence and attacking instinct which suggests he is a little sluggish, presumably due to his lack of playing time. For example, he was loitering on the edge of the box for an early cut back instead of darting towards the penalty spot where he could have scored from. AP 9/11 Fabian Delph - 5 Made some attacking runs and always wanted possession. Did okay and provided a lot of energy to the midfield, but not too much else. AFP/Getty Images 10/11 Marcus Rashford - 8 Took his goal well and showed a good amount of composure to convert Walker’s cross from close range. Probably the player that Switzerland feared the most. His direct running was useful in getting England up the pitch and into attacking areas. Did not have a huge number of chances to score, but he continued to show he can be a viable alternative to Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling. EPA 11/11 Danny Welbeck - 5 Did not have a lot of luck in front of goal and was often a little too late onto the scene when crosses came into the box. Seemed a bit disappointed to come off in the second half but may reflect that he could have done better. AP
Here Southgate trusted Tarkowski of Burnley in the Stones role, at the middle of the back three, and it was immediately obvious that not any player can play there like Stones. Tarkowski plays for a team who defend in a compact 4-4-2 and prefer to get the ball briskly forward rather than build up methodically. The first time Tarkowski got on the ball, after seven minutes, he gave it straight away, and should have been punished with a better Xherdan Shaqiri finish. From there, Tarkowski lost confidence, was twice beaten by Gavranovic and he never wanted to get back on the ball.
That meant that England could not build up their play as they like to, and barely got a handle on possession. Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire looked worse in possession than they ever did in Russia, with Stones sat between them. That central centre-back is meant to set the defensive line but Southgate admitted after the game that they dropped too deep, giving Switzerland more space to play.
At the hour mark, Tarkowski was replaced by John Stones and it was immediately clear that England could play their way again. They started to build play from the back, although in truth by that point the temp of the game had dropped so much that almost anyone would have been able to play through those areas.
But even in defence, Stones showed off his bravery and timing in the box, throwing himself in front of a Shaqiri shout, blocking it with his right thigh and earning an accidental kick in the head afterwards. Stones had to go off to get his head injury seen to but even when he came back on he continued to play with the same class.
By the end it was clear again that there are two Englands, with Stones and without him, and it is inconceivable that they go into a serious match without him any time soon.
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2:17 Watch highlights of England's 1-0 win over Switzerland Watch highlights of England's 1-0 win over Switzerland
England broke a run of three straight defeats with a 1-0 friendly victory over Switzerland at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday evening.
After a stuttering first-half performance, England settled into their stride when Marcus Rashford (52) netted his second goal of this international break following his strike against Spain.
The result meant England avoided a fourth successive defeat for the first time in their history, after losses against Croatia, Belgium and Spain.
Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring for England against Switzerland
Switzerland, who lost in the last 16 of the World Cup to England's quarter-final opponents Sweden, created good opportunities in the first half but lacked a clinical edge in front of goal.
Gareth Southgate spoke pre-match about England sticking to their principles of playing out from the back but it almost cost them the opening goal.
Team news Gareth Southgate freshened up his side, making nine changes from the defeat against Spain. Only Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford remained from that 2-1 defeat. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jack Butland, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Danny Welbeck were among those given a chance to impress.
Jack Butland - looking uncomfortable with the ball at his feet - played the ball out to James Tarkowski, who was too slow to turn and was tackled. Shaqiri burst through but fired his effort off the outside of the post.
Eric Dier, given the captain's armband, headed a presentable chance wide on 17 minutes as England struggled to create chances from open play and the Swiss bossed large parts of the first half.
Player Ratings England: Butland (6), Alexander-Arnold (6), Walker (7), Tarkowski (5), Maguire (6), Rose (7), Dier (5), Loftus-Cheek (5), Delph (6), Welbeck (6), Rashford (7)
Subs: Kane (6), Lingard (6), Stones (7), Trippier (6), Chillwell (6), Henderson (7)
Switzerland: Sommer (7), Akanji (6), Djourou (6), Schar, (6) Lichtsteiner (6), Freuler (7), Xhaka (7), Rodriguez (7), Zakaria (7), Gavranovic (6), Shaqiri (7)
Subs: Fernandes (6), Mehmedi (6), Ajeti (6), Zuber (6), Moubandje (6), Seferovic (6)
Man of the match: Danny Rose
Butland then showed his shot-stopping prowess with strong saves with his feet from Mario Gavranovi and Ricardo Rodriguez.
England could count themselves fortunate to be level at the break and they punished the visitors on 54 minutes. A deep corner was recycled by Kyle Walker, who delivered a cross to the back post that was finished first-time by Rashford, his fifth international goal.
Danny Rose and Stephan Lichsteiner in action during England v Switzerland
Southgate threw on Harry Kane, Jesse Lingard, John Stones and Jordan Henderson for the final quarter, which gave England more control in midfield.
Ben Chillwell was also handed a first international cap in front of his home fans as England saw out a solid yet unspectacular victory.
Englanf debut at the KP and a win. What a night for me and my family. Thank you for the reception and the kind messages ❤️ @England pic.twitter.com/dLnzL24tUr — Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) September 11, 2018
Man of the match: Danny Rose
England's bright spark. His pace caused problems for Stephan Litchsteiner, who picked up a booking for a late challenge on the Spurs man and he played with an intensity that was missing from most of his team-mates. Rashford pushed him close with a sparky performance up top.
Opta stats
England have scored in 23 of their 25 international meetings with Switzerland, last failing to score against them in September 1977.
England are unbeaten in 10 home international friendly matches (W6 D4), since losing 1-2 vs the Netherlands in March 2016.
England have kept a clean sheet in eight of their 13 home matches under manager Gareth Southgate.
Butland was the first Championship player to play for England since Wilfried Zaha did so vs Sweden in November 2012.
Rashford has scored in consecutive England appearances for the first time in his career.
All five of Rashford's goals for England have been in home games, with those five coming at four different stadiums (Stadium of Light, Wembley, Elland Road and King Power Stadium).
Chilwell became the first player to make his England debut at his current club's home ground (Leicester City) since Paul Scholes in May 1997 (vs South Africa at Old Trafford).
What's next?
England continue their run of fixtures against top nations with a Nations League double header in October against Croatia and Spain, both games are live on Sky Sports. As are Switzerland's next two matches against Belgium and Iceland.
It was a sobering homecoming for England on Saturday night.
The Three Lions' World Cup bubble was burst by a 2-1 defeat to Spain at Wembley after Marcus Rashford's opener was cancelled out by Saul before Rodrigo secured the points for La Roja on the half-hour mark.
More concerning for Manchester United fans was the sight of Luke Shaw hitting the deck with considerable force after a challenge with Dani Carvajal. Jose Mourinho was in attendance and saw the left-back sustain the injury that is set to keep him out of action for at least the next game.
For City, it might have come as a slight concern that Kyle Walker was left out of the starting XI, with Gareth Southgate favouring Joe Gomez in the right-hand berth of his three-man defence that Walker made his own in Russia.
Walker was for the game against Switzerland, while Fabian Delph also featured after sitting on the bench at the national stadium last time out.
