Frank Lampard suggested that Raheem Sterling isn't a penalty taker at heart after the England forward did not take a spotkick in the European Championship final defeat.
Gareth Southgate's side lost to Italy despite Jordan Pickford making two saves in the shootout as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka all missed.
Sterling had been one of England's best players in the tournament, scoring their first three goals including the opener in the last-16 match against Germany and also turned creator as he set up Harry Kane for the first goal in the quarter-final against Ukraine.
His absence in the shootout on Sunday was questioned by many, including pundits such as Roy Keane. However, Southgate insisted that he had made the decision as manager - Jack Grealish, another player who was criticised for not taking one, has since said that he put his hand up - based on who the best takers had been both in training and with their clubs over the past few years.
Sterling stepped up to score the decisive penalty in Manchester City's 2019 Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley, but has missed his last three for Pep Guardiola's team.
Asked why the 26-year-old did not take one against Italy, former Chelsea manager Lampard suggested it was as important for players to decline to take one.
"I'm not sure that Raheem is aboslutely a penalty taker at heart," he told BBC Sport. "Sometimes you have to give as much credit to [those who] say 'I'm not feeling this for whatever reason'. I know he's had a good tournament."
