England’s Euro 2024 campaign is about to begin and there is no doubt that the pressure is on for manager Gareth Southgate and his team of players who are in their prime. After the disappointment of the last European Championship, Southgate and his team will be keen to make amends and prove that they have what it takes to go all the way this time.
The disappointment of the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia and the quarter-final exit to France in Qatar will still be fresh in the minds of England fans and players alike. Southgate has already made it clear he will lead the team for Euro 2024 and he will be determined to make this the defining chapter of his story with the national team.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the opening Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, Southgate said England’s recent history is “irrelevant” and that the team must “start again”. He also pointed out that England haven’t won a game in Italy since 1961, so there is a barrier to be broken down.
The pressure is certainly on for Southgate and his players to deliver. England fans are no longer satisfied with just being likeable and plucky, they want and expect a victory. Southgate and his team have the talent and ability to compete at the highest level, but the question is: can they go all the way this time?
The starting XI for the game in Naples is likely to include some familiar faces as well as some new faces. Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson are expected to start, along with Luke Shaw, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka could provide the attacking threat.
It’s clear that Southgate and his players are determined to make their mark on Euro 2024. They have already proved that they can compete at the highest level, but now they must prove that they can get over the line and write their name in legend.
Perhaps Southgate’s message to his players ahead of the game should be simple: “Just remember, it’s about small margins. Don’t let the chance of glory slip away again. This could be our time.”
Ready2Go predicted England Team: Pickford; James, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Henderson; Saka, Kane, Foden.
