Tom Whyman's philosophical critique of English football and national identity in ArtReview

Tom Whyman's essay in ArtReview examines England's 0-0 draw against Scotland in UEFA Euro 2020 on June 18, 2021, through the lens of national identity. The piece analyzes the public demand for Jack Grealish's substitution as symbolic of a desire for England to transcend its perceived limitations. Whyman connects football culture to broader English nationalism, which he describes as an empty identity rooted in post-Imperial melancholy. Referencing Alex Niven's 2019 book 'New Model Island', the essay argues that Englishness has become a repository for collective guilt and delusions of grandeur. The text notes that despite England fielding talented players coached by elite managers like Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa, and Jürgen Klopp, the team appears to lack confidence compared to nations like Germany or Italy. Whyman observes that even when Grealish eventually entered the match, commentators continued demanding his presence, suggesting an impossible expectation for any single player to transform England's fundamental nature. The essay contrasts England's current talented squad with historical underperformances, mentioning the 2018 World Cup semi-final run under manager Gareth Southgate. It also touches on political dimensions, noting that some English patriots pledged to boo their national team for taking the knee before matches. Whyman concludes that England's football struggles reflect a deeper national psychodrama where Englishness itself feels cursed.