Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho has responded by critics by saying he ‘does not have to answer them’.
The deep-lying midfielder has appeared in all three La Liga matches for his new club but has been accused by some commentators of being too ponderous in possession.
Carvalho impressed for Portugal in their draw with Croatia on Thursday, even earning the praise of opposition manager Zlatko Dalic.
“I do not have to answer my critics,” Carvalho told reporters, as cited by ABC de Sevilla.
“I have to do my job in the field and help my team. These are opinions and I have to accept them, nothing more.
“The League of Nations is a competition which we want to win. Italy are a really difficult opponent; a very strong team and the Coach will already point out what we have to do to defeat them.
“We want to play a great game.”
