Will England win the European Championship? [I Love Football]

I think we can but we are dark horses more than favorites. Too many times England fans have gone into major tournaments expecting victory when really we were nowhere near good enough.

I do think that this generation of England players is potentially better than any I can remember. Yes, the 2000s team of Beckham, Rooney, and Gerrard was much hyped and never went beyond the quarter-finals. I never thought that generation was quite good enough anyway and crap coaches (Eriksson and McClaren) meant we lost almost every game to a significant team.

This time I really do think it could be different! LOL. England over-achieved to get to the semi-final of the last World Cup but since then a plethora of really good midfielders and forwards have emerged so we certainly look stronger 'on paper' than last time. I also think Gareth Southgate is a smart coach who picks players on what is best for the team, rather than just picking on reputation. This was a big problem for previous England coaches.

I think that the attack is definitely good enough to win a major tournament but the defense still has lots of question marks. Our two center-backs are slow and the backup is not up to standard. We don't have a world-class goalkeeper. Also, a lot of key players are in their early twenties so there is an argument that we will be peak in five years or so. Will be interesting to watch though. So I would say quarter-final is minimum expectation, semi is a par and anything else is a bonus.

Thoughts?

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SW-User

Probably not. We have some very talented young players, but there may be too much hype around them, and a tournament too soon.

I'm not at all sure what the likely starting team will be or even the formation. I'm not sure Southgate knows either.

History suggests they'll lose to the first decent team they face.

Having said all that, there is a big home advantage, if the games all go ahead as planned.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@SW-User I am happy with Southgate and I think we look decent. Like you say, we don't know the best team and have to find it quickly.

Personally, I wouldn't play Alexander-Arnold. He is a great player but everyone targets him defensively and he is a liability unless you have fast center-backs, which we don't. Surprisingly, I agree with leaving Pope at home because his distribution skills don't suit how Southgate wants to play.

I like that Southgate picks players for the plan rather than just the best players. What I am concerned about is that he changes formation and selection a lot. For example, the changes from a back three to a back for and back three and then four again. Other teams might have more cohesion.

SW-User

@Burnley123 I was probably being a bit unfair on Southgate. I'm hoping he does know who and how he is going to play,but he's kept it well hidden in recent games. I wouldn't be too surprised if all of the English players from last night's Champions league final play, though Walker might be in a back three. It's looking like Alexander-Arnold might not even make the squad. I think you're right about defence. I think we also lack a top quality defensive midfielder.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@SW-User I agree up until the last point. I think Jordan Henderson has matured into that role and I also think Declan Rice is emerging as a world-class player.

Defense is the big worry because of lack of cover, quality keepers, and cohesion. The last point is the most important because you get such little time in international football and other teams have more settled units.

SW-User

@Burnley123 Henderson and rice are certainly the best we have, and I think they'll probably both play. The thought of a back three of Pickford, Maguire and Stones is a bit of a worry.