England are entering the 2024 Euros as one of the favourties to win the competition. They finished as the runners-up of the competition 2021, losing out to Italy in the Final on penalties. However, a lot has changed for the Three Lions since then. Firstly, many players from that team are not part of this current squad, including Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, the two stars who missed their penalties against Italy.
Gareth Southgate has won a few hearts by going fearless in his approach to selecting players for the competition in Germany. He dropped out the likes of Rashford, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Harry Maguire, all of whom would have probably been starters in any other competition. The additions of youngsters like Adam Wharton, Eberchi Eze and Kobbiee Mainoo to the final squad were also a big surprise for several English fans.
After putting on a great display against Bosnia in their first warmup match, England lost their second and last warmup to Iceland, which proved to be a little bit of a shocker to many people. However, not a lot can be made of that as it was only a preparatory game for the competition ahead in the summer. The team is currently in Germany and are set to start their campaign against Serbia on June 16.
Does England have enough firepower to win the Euros?
England are one of the most stacked teams in the Euros. They have players like Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, who were all playing some of the best football in their careers this season. To add to the team’s strength, they also have players like Eze, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who are also sensational on any given day.
The team seems well balanced in all departments except for defence. The omission of Harry Maguire has left Southgate with a problem that he has never had before. He now has to choose someone to partner alongside John Stones in the backline. Marc Guehi seems to be the only natural choice as all the other defenders in the squad are used to occupying other positions in the backline. Guehi is a capable player and has often stepped up for the country when entrusted with the responsibility in defence.
England has to avoid choking in the knockouts
England have been sensational in all competitions since Gareth Southgate has taken over the managerial position. They have made one semi-final and one final appearance, which shows how good a job he has done with the team. But it also indicates that they have not delivered when it matters the most. Going into what could be his final tournament in charge of the Three Lions, Southgate will be looking to get over the hump and win the Euros to cement his place as an all-time great manager in English football history.
There are a few other teams in the competition that look dangerous. France in particular looks like the side to beat if England wants to win it all. The Les Blues have a stellar squad filled with quality players in all positions. Netherlands, Portugal and Spain are also favourites, but England certainly has the team that it takes to defeat these sides. The bunch of youth and experience they have could finally be what helps them beat the other European elites and help them clinch the Euros for the first time in their history.
