The English national team is one of Europe’s top footballing nations and, perhaps the world’s most exciting side in relation to their potential. If they can build on previous tournament near misses such as the Euros final at home and the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia, they will certainly be among the favourites in next summer’s Euros.
While these current crop of players are yet to win silverware with Gareth Southgate, the potential is there to do great things in the upcoming Euro’s in Germany.
Allow us to examine why they can win the Euros in Germany.
England has a couple of fearsome playmakers at their disposal
England has many players who can make a difference on any given day. The two which come to mind straight away are Jude Bellingham and James Maddison.
On current form, there is probably no better player than the 20-year-old Bellingham in the world. Starting his career as a holding midfielder, Bellingham has adorned the role of a No. 10 exceptionally well for the most decorated club in the world.
He has found life at Real Madrid relatively easy, scoring eight goals and notching two assists in eight La Liga games. It is absurd that he is doing all of this at just 20 years old. Hardly any English players have gone oversees, some who come to mind are Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Kieran Trippier who have all played in La Liga.
Maddison may not be doing as well as Bellingham but he has been one of Spurs standout performers this season. Ex Spurs player Jermaine Jenas told TNT Sports: “He’s transformed a team on his own,” he later added ”He’s a top-class talent on the verge of being a world-class talent as soon as he gets on that stage.”
They have shown they can compete with the top nations
Under Southgate, England has beaten Italy twice, Germany, Spain (away), and Belgium, which shows what they are capable of. This bodes well for the upcoming tournament as they will play one of these teams in the latter stages of the tournament.
In their most recent game against Italy at Wembley, England took a while to get going, conceding the first goal in the 15th minute. Harry Kane leveled from the spot prior to the interval after Bellingham was fouled by Giovanni Di Lorenzo . Another goal by Kane and a Marcus Rashford strike in a impressive second half showing took the game from the Italians.
They will have the motivation from near misses
The Three Lions have reached a World Cup semi-final and European Championship final under Southgate’s tutelage. This has given fans at home renewed optimism that they can do well in the Euros this summer.
Losing a European Championship on penalties at home will give the team even more desire to perform as they were so close to winning silverware. The semi-final loss against Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup – plus last winter’s defeat to France in the 2022 edition – will also spur the team to go all the way next summer in Germany.