Hope I'm wrong and I'll eat humble pie, but Southgate ****s the bed right at the end or just before. That current England side is probably the best it's been for 20 years with strength in depth, and playing at full pelt we'd frighten the ****e out of anyone, but we play with the handbrake on... I'd love us to play Top Premier League style football during some games. No one could handle players like Foden and Bellingham playing with freedom. Just my opinion, but we won't see what this team can really do until a manager with a bit of attacking attitude comes along. However, I'll stick the pie in the oven...
I would go for the 1st 5 youve mentioned personally Really like Branthwaite, could be a quality CB at international level in next few yrs so good to get him some experience being with the squad (Guehi similar)
France and England are rightly favourites. I'm a little concerned that it's been a long season for Bellingham and Foden, but time will tell. Not dark horses by any means but Portugal are the best of the rest imo. Martinez is getting a tune out of them.
In terms of who's winning the tournament, I think it's extremely open and prime for a shock winner or at least a smaller nation to go deep into the knockouts. Hungary maybe, haven't lost since 2022. France are the favourites in my eyes, think we are just behind them.
Im mixed about him. He plays in a poor league, but also the most defensive league in europe whove had the best defenders of all time play there so if hes doing well that must be a good thing
Is Southgate though that's the problem. Basically in every squad yet hardly touches the pitch. Wonder if he gets a PL move soon.
Maguire and Stones will play every minute of the euros, Southgate will already have his mind made up regardless on anything else
I meant in terms of the best players in the best teams going at it. International football is littered with world class players born in countries that never qualify for tournaments OR average players grifting a life in a good team
Are there better CBs available? Stones is an outstanding player and Maguire has never let England down.
I'm largely indifferent to International football but will of course get behind England (unless they play Scotland) My son on the other hand , finishes his GCSEs the day before the opening game and is absolutely buzzing for the tournament. Ah to be 16 again
Probably not mate tbf, just saying though. I think Stones is also brilliant next to Rodri when Pep moves him into CDM which would also create another CB place, but Southgate would never be that adventurous. He'd rather just pick Henderson
I only ever watch international matches when there is a major tournament, kills the boredom waiting for the season to start. Find England hard to watch, just slow and boring. Which is incredible considering the players we have.
Give us a top manager and we would dominate World football imo. The question is how do we play Saka, Palmer, Foden, and Jude in the same team with Kane nailed on upfront. Personally i think Saka sits out in place of Palmer on current form
I don't get the Southgate haters. England have had world class players and world class managers but always fallen short. England have been to 2 major finals and 4 semi finals in 100 years of international football Southgate has delivered 2 of those 6.
Weve never had a pool of talent like this ever. We should be winning tournaments not scoring a last minute penalty to beat Denmark on a semi and then going a goal up against Italy on a final and sitting back. Southagate was a poor manager at Boro, blagged his way into managing England and hes way out his depth