As England draw closer to qualifying for Euro 2024, there is optimism that Gareth Southgate can finally deliver England’s first trophy since 1966. After losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties, can England go one better in Germany?
Here are five reasons why England could win the European Championships next summer…
Harry Kane’s goals
Embed from Getty ImagesHarry Kane is now England’s all time leading goalscorer and has proven time after time why he is the go to man for England. Gareth Southgate will be relying on the Bayern Munich striker to lead the line again for England in Germany. Despite missing a crucial penalty against France in Qatar, Kane has always been incredibly potent for his country, especially on the big stage. At the age of 30, this could potentially be his final European Championships, at least being the first choice striker. Kane scored four goals in Euro 2020, including the winner against Denmark in the semi-finals.
With some exceptional wide players, Kane could benefit from the link-up from his fellow teammates and fire England to European Championship glory. What could prove to be a season full of success for Kane with Bayern Munich, can he also lead England to glory next summer?
The rise of Jude Bellingham
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is no secret that Jude Bellingham is one of the most exciting young players in world football. Bellingham got his first taste of international tournament football in the Qatar World Cup and then started each of England’s five matches, scoring once. He will turn 21 during EURO 2024. The Midlander left Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid in the summer and once again showed he is nerveless when the pressure is on. He cost over €100,000,000 and was expected to deliver instantly for the world’s biggest club despite his tender years. He responded with five goals in his first four games – not bad start for a midfielder!
Bellingham’s role for Madrid has him playing just behind the strikers in a number ten role. That may pose the question as to whether Southgate may follow suit and use him further up the pitch, despite the competition for places in the attacking midfield position. In his last England appearance, he was deployed as part of a midfield three alongside Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice.
It is clear that Bellingham’s ceiling is high, and he will be one of the first names on the team sheet when England come to play their group games at the tournament. Can Bellingham add a trophy with England to his already impressive CV?
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role?
Embed from Getty ImagesIn England’s previous two games against Malta and North Macedonia, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been played in a midfield three. There has always been questions of his ability defensively, so there could be a case to be made that Alexander-Arnold could be a permanent part of an international midfield , in order to get the best out of him. His best traits are crossing and passing, so having someone with the vision and the technical ability to play cross-field passes could be beneficial for England, especially with someone like Harry Kane on the end of it.
A midfield three of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold could be the key to unlocking England’s potential and help them on their way to win the Euros. However, Southgate will be without the Liverpool star for the upcoming fixtures against Ukraine and Scotland due to injury. Given the England coach has already toyed with the idea of Alexander-Arnold in midfield, it is not unrealistic he will revisit the tactic in Germany.
Starboy Saka
Embed from Getty ImagesBukayo Saka has been named England’s player of the year for the second successive season. He scored a hat-trick in England’s last game against North Macedonia as he continued to prove how vital he is in this England team. At the age of 22, he is a regular starter for club and country, with two goals in four games for Arsenal at the start of the new Premier League season.
He is making the right-wing position his own, after bouncing back in positive fashion after his heartbreaking penalty miss in the Euros final in 2021. At the World Cup in Qatar, Saka scored three goals, with a brace against Iran and another against Senegal. He has a wealth of experience with England in high pressure tournament games and will not be fazed as he competes in the Champions League with Arsenal too. Southgate will put a lot of faith in Saka, and with the ability he possesses, he will play a key part next summer for England.
Golden Generation 2?
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 2004-2006 era was labelled as “The Golden Generation” where England had some of the world’s best players. Star names including Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes never lived up to expectation, failing to progress past the quarter-finals at any tournament. This England generation’s record in their last three tournaments reads, one final, a semi-final and a penalty shoot-out quarter-final defeat.
This new crop of players are nearing the peak of their powers, with incredible depth full of technical ability and talent. Southgate will have a selection headache for his final squad for the tournament but he will be encouraged with the options at his disposal. Fans are excited, but also aware this could be the group’s final chance of a trophy before new players are introduced in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
Could England finally do it in Germany?
