After a string of near misses and wasted opportunities, can the Three Lions put behind them all that’s gone before, and lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy on enemy soil in EURO 2024?
We’ve been here before – the expectation, the elation, the aching disappointment.
Except now, for the first time ever at a major football tournament, England go into it as bookies’ favourites… and we’re not even at home!
Many are salivating already at the prospect of winning this year’s European Championships, and on German soil, to boot, yet the road ahead, as always, is littered with quality opposition, mesmerising footballers, unexpected twists and turns, and perhaps, horribly, a penalty shoot-out or two!
It was of course the 12-yard spot-kick that did for the Three Lions three years ago, when a tournament delayed by a year due to Covid, was won by the Italians, at Wembley, after England failed to hold their nerve from the spot.
Up to that point, and the final aside, it had been a tournament journey full of courageous displays. Even the showpiece game started off in spectacular fashion, with Luke Shaw’s first-ever England goal also being the quickest goal in a final.
However, the hosts weren’t able to push home their advantage and eventually succumbed to a second half equaliser… then the inevitable spot-kick misery.
The omens for going one better at EURO 2024 are, however, good. Manager Gareth Southgate has developed a side that’s now used to going deep in tournaments, and its talismanic captain – and record
goalscorer – Harry Kane, has been blowing defences away in his debut season in the Bundesliga.
However, it’s not just the former Tottenham Hotspur striker’s shoulders that their chances rest on, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham looking to cap off a momentous first season in La Liga by guiding England to glory.
Everything the youngster has touched has turned to gold, with a tremendous goalscoring record from midfield firing the Spanish giants to another domestic title. He grabbed his first Wembley goal for his country in a 2-2 draw against Belgium in March and is a key man this summer.
The supporting cast continues to show their ability with Manchester City winger Phil Foden coming into his own in the Premier League, while Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka registered his best goal total for the Gunners this season, and will also go into the tournament in sparkling form.
Pair that with Marcus Rashford’s pace and clinical finishing, Jack Grealish’s wizardry, the possibility of Cole Palmer coming of age, should he get the call, and going forward, England have never been so dangerous.
The midfield area has the aforementioned Bellingham, Saka’s club team-mate Declan Rice, the experience of Ajax’s Jordan Henderson and the emerging talent of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, meaning those up front will have impeccable support.
In defence, there is less certainty as to who Southgate will choose to rely upon. John Stones has been in great form – maybe more so in a position moving forward with the ball – for Manchester City. While rival at Man United Harry Maguire is always in the manager’s thoughts.
Previously used as a right-back, it remains to be seen if Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold could be used further up the pitch leaving, both full-back positions undecided. At left-back, Shaw may again be first-choice though Ben Chilwell has come back into favour.
The other spot could see Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United and his deadly set pieces take centre-stage, though Kyle Walker’s pace and ability to play centrally is a huge benefit to Southgate. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite’s form has also been impressive.
In goal, Jordan Pickford has been consistently picked as England number one since 2018, and his club form, in a struggling team, underlines why the Everton man has been the best goalkeeping option for some time now.
The instruction is to always take it one game at a time, yet with a kind group and a last 16 tie against a third-placed side, the quarter-final match could be against Croatia, with the possibility of a semi-final versus France.
Will the lions roar again at EURO 2024?
