Before every major tournament, they assure the world that they are the best, only to be slapped by reality. Still, reaching the final of the European Championship and the semifinals and quarterfinals of the World Cup under Gareth Southgate represents significant progress compared to the results of his predecessors. However, the English want a trophy and believe that this time they can truly achieve it. And we must admit – they have every right to believe so. Southgate is heading to Germany with an artillery unmatched by any other European manager, led by Europe’s Golden Boot winner and Champions League top scorer Harry Kane; Premier League’s best player and champion Phil Foden; the best young player of the English league Cole Palmer; European and Spanish champion Jude Bellingham, and Arsenal’s attacking leader Bukayo Saka. Behind them will be one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, Declan Rice.It’s time to go again. 🏴#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Bcsl1qHObE— England (@England) June 16, 2024 Despite the overflowing quality in their attacking line, England has its weak points. The ’Achilles’ heel’ of this team is the left-back position. Southgate does not have a natural solution for it as Ben Chilwell is not included even in the broader squad, and Luke Shaw was crossed off due to not fully recovering from an injury sustained in mid-February. The English were generally dissatisfied with their defense in the March tests against Belgium and Brazil, after which the local press unanimously concluded that with such a vulnerable defensive line, they have no business at the European Championship. They were, of course, referring to their ambitions of winning the trophy. In the group stage, they shouldn’t face significant problems, and if they finish as leaders – which is likely – they would only meet the winner of the other group in the semifinals. That would likely be France, offering an ideal opportunity for revenge for the World Cup in Qatar.Southgate: ‘I won’t be here anymore if we don’t win the EURO 2024’There are plenty of options for the best player, but it ultimately comes down to two names. Our choice is Harry Kane, because although Jude Bellingham won three trophies with Real Madrid, no one in the national team had a season on an individual level like their captain. In a Bayern jersey, he scored 44 goals and assisted 12 more. Although these goals didn’t bring much to his club, the national team hopes that won’t be the case with England in Germany.”We’ve made the country proud…we’re here to win it” Harry Kane says that England have a “great opportunity” to win major silverware at Euro 2024 🏆 pic.twitter.com/OCVNqmVFrm— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 16, 2024 As for coach Southgate, the upcoming tournament will be his fourth since taking over. No one has led the England team in more competitions since Sir Alf Ramsey, and whatever happens in Germany, Southgate will remain the most important manager of the modern era for the Three Lions. However, EURO 2024 will determine his future. His contract expires at the end of the year, and if he disappoints in Germany, it will mark the end of his eight-year tenure. For some, he is the culprit for the golden generation not living up to its epithet; for others, he is the man who brought the England national team back to where it belongs. Only a triumph in Berlin on July 14th will resolve this debate.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEFridayGermany – Scotland 5-1 (3-0)/Wirtz 10, Musiala 19, Havertz 45+1, Fullkrug 68, Can 90+3 – Rudiger 87 og/SaturdayHungary – Switzerland 1-3 (0-2)/Varga 66 – Duah 12, Aebischer 45, Embolo 90+3/Spain – Croatia 3-0 (3-0)/Morata 29, Ruiz 32, Carvajal 45+2/Italy – Albania 2-1 (2-1)/Bastoni 11, Barella 16 – Bajrami 1/Sunday 16.00: (5.70) Poland (3.80) Netherlands (1.63)19.00: (5.00) Slovenia (3.50) Denmark (1.75)22.00: (7.50) Serbia (4.40) England (1.50)***odds are subject to change***
