UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: England
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is England.
One of the finalists at Euro 2020 was England. After another penalty disaster “The Three Lions” look poised to make another run towards their first trophy since World Cup glory in 1966. One of the favorites to win Euro 2024 sees England have a stacked lineup full of young talent that will want to put the quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup behind them. “The Three Lions” were unbeaten in qualifying and have lost only one match since the 2022 World Cup. Now sitting fourth in the latest FIFA rankings as the third-best European side the pressure will once again be on to see if football finally comes home.
Euro Appearances
England made their Euro debut in 1968 and has since appeared in nine of the past 13 editions. “The Three Lions” will be heading to their fourth consecutive Euros after collapsing on the final day of qualifying for Euro 2008.
Best Finish at the Euros
Three times prior England had made the semifinals at the Euros. However, the first two ended with a third-place finish including in 1996 as the host nation. The only time “The Three Lions” advanced to the final was at Euro 2020. Unfortunately for them (as mentioned above), they ended as runners-up. The final against Italy at home in London went to penalties, and just like in 1996 England failed to take their chances and came out second best.
Key players
England has one of the strongest teams at Euro 2024. The biggest strength will be their attack. Harry Kane continues to score goals wherever he goes. In his first season in the Bundesliga, he scored a league-leading 36 goals. Alongside England’s all-time leading goalscorer will be Premier League winner Phil Foden, runner-up Bukayo Saka, and maybe even Ollie Watkins. The midfield may be just as deep and talented. 20-year-old phenom Jude Bellingham is coming off winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid and will be heading the midfield with Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The big concern with England’s squad is the possible issues in the defense. Sure John Stones and Kyle Walker continue playing at a high level. However, Harry Maguire had a concerning season for Manchester United and Kieran Trippier suffered a calf injury in a post-season friendly but should be ready for Germany. This England squad will need to find some consistency in front of Jordan Pickford for any chance to win Euro 2024.
Manager
For the fourth time, Gareth Southgate will be leading England at a major tournament. Southgate may have his issues at times, but he has still led England to their furthest runs at both the World Cup and Euros since the glory of 1966. This may be his last chance to get “The Three Lions” over the line and with the team he has anything is possible.
Biggest Group Game – vs Denmark on June 20
As mentioned in the Denmark preview, this match will very likely decide the winner of Group C. England and Denmark have formed a rivalry over the last 20 years. They have played seven times since 2003 with each side winning three times. This includes three matches over 11 months in which “The Three Lions” knocked Denmark out at Euro 2020 in the semifinals. Talent on both sides makes this a must-watch group stage match.
Prediction
Anything less than lifting the trophy on July 14 will be a disappointment for England. With that being said I do not see that happening. England should win Group C and should be able to beat whatever third-place team they would play in the round of 16. This could very well mean a rematch with Italy in the quarterfinals which I think “The Three Lions” will win. However, that could set up another rematch with France. This is where England’s run will end just like at the 2022 World Cup. Football is never coming home.
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