EURO 2024 PREVIEW: ENGLAND 

England’s stats against Brazil and Belgium were a real eye opener. I remember when England used to lose to these teams the post game analysis was always predominantly about England’s inability to keep the ball. No one can say that anymore.

​​@@Karma2Babylon& It doesn't matter in friendlies anyway . Almost every England player was involved in intense end of seasons with their clubs, & not fully at it in friendly games. Pretty obvious. Judge England at the Euros. They also had a very poor record in the nonsense "Nations league" before the last WC

@@jm-np4mu couldn’t agree more.👍

Spot on!

Even last night, after beating Slovenia 3-0, people were criticising when Germany drew 0-0, and Scotland labored to victory agianst Gibraltar, but you don't hear a word. You really can't judge a team on friendlies, especially when there's a risk of injury for the more important games coming up

Couldn’t agree more. Historically, I’ve been a supporter of Southgate, despite being baffled by some of his choices. But this has to be it now - especially with arguably one of England’s strongest squads

& They only conceded one from open play & that was in the final

... and they only lost the final on pens. They did really well.

This is the weird oversight I keep seeing. England's defence has been the only real constant in the last couple of tournaments, conceding 6 goals in 12 games in total. Pickford was also a literal match winning keeper in the 2018 world cup

Yes, but all those teams have won the Euro's... Except for England.

Luke Shaw is in doubt, big miss imo he is key for their attack. Goal keeper is a weak position for them, and the defense is trash so no I don’t think England do it…..AGAIN

​@@CMJames Gomez played LB for Liverpool and covered this position well. Since when Pickford is Pickford a weak goalie? He literally carries Everton every season, of it was not for him, they'd be in the championship. The defense is not as bad as you say. Maguire surely causes doubt but Walker is one of if not the best RB in the league and Stones is a good center back.

​@@CMJames Trash is an overstatement, Stones is a very good centre back, Maguire plays well for England but lacks the pace, Trippier is awesome and Shaw is hit or miss and Pickford has been really good in tournaments for England even if he isn't a world class keeper.

⁠@@robertking4645is Gomez a natural left footer? If not, that is not a great option yes can cover but takes away any width on the left hand side. Pickford is not elite and if you think that you are fooling yourself. And the defence is trash, you’ll see

Kane is a doubt right now, Shaw is also a doubt and white refuses to play for England. Thats two massive defenders and our main man out before it has even begun.

As an England supporter I agree France are but I don't think Portugal are personally

France are not ahead of England.

@@samykiani944 I think England will finally get the revenge of 2022 againts France

@@samykiani944if you belive that then I get why England never wins anyting fans like you don’t know fotboll

​​​​​​​@@RuqiyaOsman-yw5pvIf you know football you would know how talented this current England squad is, the best front 6 in Europe with the added bonus of having strong cover for those positions (apart from Rice's )

Are you a younger Italian fan? Italy’s football heritage trumps England’s by a long shot!

@@ADAJ3KINGANGEL I'm old enough to remember Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002. It's just that, lately, Italian supporters always act as if the worst should be taken for granted. It's as if the Azzurri are just "the team that didn't qualify to the World Cup" and nothing else

@@NIDELLANEUM Italy’s recent downfall (outside of Euro 2020) is interesting. Why do you think you guys have fallen behind?

@@ADAJ3KINGANGEL I think it's a consequence of Italian football feeling like it was too big to fall. In the 80s and 90s, Serie A was *the* biggest League, and the Azzurri were always powerhouses, coming to a tournament to win it. Nobody expected Serie A to fall, until Calciopoli happened. Then, Italian football just lingered on for about a decade, and actually declined once all the stars from the 90s and 2000s either left or were now too old.

​@@NIDELLANEUMi think bcs the mismanagement by the italian federation, like we used to know italy must be the best producer of centre-back, but nowadays italy lack of good centre-back except bastoni. bastoni is really good with the ball, but should improve his defensive abilities tho.

While I like that line up, Palmer, Saka and Foden are all left footed.

I do think that giving Mitchell a chance and allowing him to really push up on the flank would help remove a lot of the negative effects of having to move Foden to LW. It would allow him to cut inside and play where he's more comfortable.

@@ProfessionalBob Yes true. Also in the friendlies, Foden was moving in the centre

I like this team. Trent has to play. You need to pick Bellingham and Foden in middle. And by playing a three man defence with a centre back who can play on the left you partially solve the left back problem. Sure this team is weak on the left, but is outstanding in every other position. They just need to score more goals than they concede. This team could do it.

@@techopialimited1453 it’s a shame Southgate would never try anything so bold but defensively I don’t think it’s too compromised. I see Trent as a deep lying playmaker who can drop into right back when needed but he’s there to recieve the ball and spring attacks with plenty of options ahead of him to aim at. Saka and Gordon would both work hard on the flanks to support. And it provides the double pivot without sacrificing the creativity where we are strongest with Foden and Bellingham both given freedom to play. If it clicks, I don’t think any defence could cope!

I’d say France is still the team to beat. I’m English by the way.

Agreed! England is this year's Manchester City

I’d disagree with that. Southgate was part of the international youth set up before becoming manager. He helped create a pathway for players to get into the senior squad if they were in the youth squads. Before that the senior squad was picked mostly by which team you played for, and players from one team would stick together (ex players have confirmed this in interviews). I do agree that he knows how to deal with the media, but then again that’s part of the job too. Where i think he lacks is confident decision making on the pitch in crunch games. His record against the top 10 in the world speaks for itself.

Total nonsense

@@kurtbarlow5408 care to elaborate mate?

@@davidknell8831 there’s been plenty of good England teams on paper this century and they’ve all massively underperformed and underachieved. Southgate is the first manager to get them playing as a cohesive team and his results in tournaments is the best we’ve had in my lifetime (I’m 44) People love to crap on him but he was one penalty shootout away from bringing us out first trophy in almost 60 years

@@kurtbarlow5408 I’m 47! This generation is different! They can pass and move ! The academies are teaching the kids properly finally! Southgate has had little to do with it! Conveyor belt of talent now! No reason that’s gonna change with the cash in the English game! Let’s hope we are all smiling after the tournament ends !

Having said, GS is a safe pair of hands. He can be too loyal to Maguire and Henderson. Will he play Konsa and Gomez? I know international football doesn't attract top managers, but it's been 8 years of GS. He's a English FA yes man

I've also predicted England will lose a game in the group stages

@@encorefootballmight draw one but not lose one

will draw against slovenia maybe, serbia defenses is really dull, and denmark is pretty good at the back, but frustrating in attack, england have a great chance against denmark.

@@gozarad8888 England will win the group with 7 points

Hopefully they finally win without Kane

@@dariussalepetru6770 Are you an Arsenal fan?

@@MattsAttack9 No

​@@dariussalepetru6770I asked because you said without Kane

Because always England with Kane losing But without him, they will win the trophy

Foden in the 10

Kane might not even be able to make the trip. If you have not seen the news, he has seriously injured his back.

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X3Z8fA84Alk.htmlsi=M8rMkXUAvu4g1sKW

@@MichaelTalksFootball1 thanks!

I predict at least a final

Thanks for the prediction. I don’t know when we will exit but I know you are right, Southgate’s tactics will be the factor that costs us.

Yes, well. It's certainly happened before

That's the problem, playing to England's strength would be through their attack. You make the points, GS is unfortunately defence minded

Nope, that's definately not a fact.

@CIMAmotor well it says Pickford on the back of his shirt .

I am a Kane hater to be fair but I agree he is a elite world class player with a curse😂

@@RuqiyaOsman-yw5pv Why do you hate him ? What's he ever done to you ?

His a solid keeper but I feel to win major tournaments you need a commanding keeper, hopefully he can prove me wrong

@@MichaelTalksFootball1 I think that it's more important to have a better defenders and midfielders than a great goalkeeper. Pickford will keep out what is expected for him to so as long as the team in front of him are good enough we should be fine. Goalkeeper is like the 5th thing we should worry about. LB, stones partner, 3rd midfielder, foden position and then gk is what I would be looking at

Rashford and Phillips, as well.

Maguire actually performs for england tbf

Nick Pope?? Hasn’t he been injured for most of the season? Why would he do that

@CMJames ah sure look hes better then pickford just like how Ben white is better then maguire but maguires gonna play anyway

@@mateotorres1101I agree with Ben white but pope has been injured for most season

Put Cole Palmer in Kane's role. He has what it takes. Watkins has had a great season but he is not the same player in an England shirt.

Maybe they will win because of the lack of Kane??😂

@@ximengtang6731 Look the Kane curse is just a case of terrible luck - Something England has been suffering long before kane was even born. Seriously, go backthroughout prior world cups and euros, see how England goes out, how many didgy desicions are made, disallowed goals, unfair plays to the opposition. You'll see that bad luck is something England have always had to deal with. the Kane curse makes no difference. England got to their first semi final in 2 decades with Kane,, their first final in 55 years with Kane. I would say he has done more for England than people realise.

I agree! I want England to get the revenge againts France

I’m a Chelsea fan but he’s not better than Saka

@@joefranklin4922 I’m sorry in what world is he not?! He’s healthier, and he’s got more g/a AND he’s a better PK taker!

@@BennyBoy90 But that doesn't always make a good winger. Saka can find space, he is sharp on the counter and he is precise in his assists.

​@@Whoami691 I'm not trying to downplay the abilities of Saka I know he's an elite player world class almost. However, if we're going off form which I believe we should as that's how most managers sort the teams...Cole Palmer should be on that RW right now based on FORM. Now, Saka has been good/very good in a 3 Lions shirt but, to say he's better than Palmer at assisting or Finishing with headers, or finding teammates in space is a little off-point to me.

@@BennyBoy90 See it's hard to say that because Palmer is currently untested in an England shirt. Don't get me wrong, Palmer has been breaking his back carryng Chelsea this season, but he would be playing out of position, wheras Saka is playing where he always does. You might be right, We don't know, but if southgate is smart, he will try Palmer out in these upcoming friendlies.

I have read some sick and twisted things on the internet but you have just crossed a line.

Lol it’s true!! They even sell it in jars now! Genius!

@@MKH816 Here i thought we were a civilised people.Apparently we still live in the dark ages....

@@Whoami691go out, have nine pints, on your way home, instead of satisfying your craving for food with a kebab/chips- wait til you get home and have some marmite and peanut butter on toast. You will become a believer!

@@Whoami691 try it after a night of drinking out. You will be a believer!

Not sure about that Morrocco were extremely difficult to break down

We may have a different view on players doesnt mean either one is right, Mainoo has proven to be good ofc starting him would be a risk. Jude has shown this season his best position is the 10 ofc he can play the 8 but id worry about the midfield being too attack minded. We can have different opinions on football thats what makes good debates

@@MichaelTalksFootball1Can u say how hes shown the best position is the 10? Whenever u see him play he offers very low chance creation and usually has strengths in defensive duties and goal scoring when it comes to positioning, all things a box to box does. Even then if bellinghams best position is the 10, which its not because he doesn’t have the qualities of a 10, then you’d have the bench him for the player thats performing better than him in that position which is Foden. You could say his goals tally is what shows it but all that shows is that he’s a box crasher for real madrid. Meaning he makes late runs into the box and scores goals from a position in the 6 yrd box. This action is reminiscent to Box to box midfielders that do this such as gerrard and lampard. Basically saying that if u play bellingham in his actual best position the 8 u still get the goals, thats the player real madrid bought and its not like hes functioning as a 10 where hes a creative machine hes just there to score goals and hold up play a lot like a centre forward. Midfield threes gotta be Rice and bellingham in a double pivot (where bellingham can be the best version of himself and still bag goals thru box crashing) and foden at the 10 (where he can be in his best position assisting and scoring around his striker). Mb i come off rude btw i just think u dont really get how bellinghams been played at real madrid and how he was played at bvb where his game overall was 10x better

@@gr3saeyend thats why i put him at 8 or 6, scoring a lot of goals doesnt mean he is better play further up, because jude is lack of creativity but we all know his work rate and his main assets were best put at 8 or b2b 6, just like his bvb days where we saw his overall game shone thru. jude is good with defensive duties, he can win the ball, can tackle anyone, good at duels, could cover all area 90mins. and u'r right he is just remind me of lamps so much.

@@MichaelTalksFootball1 i dont think jude position is at 10 just based he could roam free and score lot of goals, maybe he is quite good there (at 10 position), but he isnt good enough to play the role of 10, bcs he is lack of creativity, and his overall game couldnt be displayed enough if he is deployed at 10, bcs jude is all action midfielder, he could cover a lot of areas, good work rate, solid defensively, excels at duels, he's really a perfect match for rice at double pivot, they complete each other, it offer stability defensively and dynamic for offensive aspects. dont forget his bvb days when he shone in double pivot positions as box2box 6.

Also doesn't Denmark have *two* trophies?

Denmark have won more euros than us!! Admittedly it was an 8 team tournament back then

Haha

If Kane doesn't play, I think England will finally win the Euro's this year

it don’t mean anything to me

@captainfalconmain6576 I reckon half of the Southgate haters are just sick racists who don't like England taking the knee, and the other half are just thickie Sun readers who know nothing about football.

Explain to me saka and grealish playing wingback?

@@csbdcsbd8728 Its not wingback. Have you not watched City or Arsenal play? Both already play those wide roles. Think of it as a 4 5 1 shape out of possession. Pickford Walker Stones Rice Gomez Foden TAA Bellingham Saka Grealish Kane Or Pickford TAA Walker Stones Gomez Foden Rice Bellingham Saka Grealish Kane

@@csbdcsbd8728 I only did the shape in possession, because that would be the aim. To have lots of possession of the ball and have those players in those positions on the pitch.

@@chrismcgregor272 I actually think that's genius. Fair play.

@@csbdcsbd8728 People that only watch clips/highlights of players, and not games, think Foden/ Bellingham or Saka/Grealish just sit in pockets and so this set up is too "open" or defensively fragile. Foden/Bellingham/Saka/Grealish all do a hell of alot of pressing off the ball; Foden often drops into deep 8 role for City; Bellingham drops into deep wide or 8 role for Madrid; Saka and Grealish drop deep tracking opponents into their own box. England would be far more defensively sound, if we kept possession of the ball in the opposition half alot more and had high level pressing players, not plodders like Maguire/Shaw or headless chickens like Mainoo/Gallagher.

Rice doesn't play as A DM anymore