Opinion: Can England do it?

It used to be the age-old question; will it be different this year? Is it finally time? Can England realise it’s potential? Although, in recent years, it’s become more of, we have to do it.

Over the last three tournaments, Gareth Southgate’s three lions have given fans moments for a lifetime, from ending the pain of penalty-shootouts, to being moments away from going all the way. With success, comes pressure, and pressure makes diamonds.

There was once a group of English talent labelled the ‘golden generation’ and it appears we’ve come full circle. We’re now in a position where that pressure, is at its highest, England have been with the big boys for the last six years, and our talent is now at it’s peak.

So, the expectations meet the talent, but can England do it?

Upon announcing his 26, Southgate was met with a lot of doubt, and a mixture of optimism, as occurs every tournament. Yet still, this squad did not match the former three. When the former defender was given the permanent job, he promised to pick players on form rather than familiarity, and let’s be honest, that was naïve. This squad does not to appear to have his usual stamp of regularity this time around.

The likes of ever-present Harry Maguire (injury) and Jack Grealish miss out, instead of stockpiling defenders, Southgate has punted on the in-form attackers and in doing so has only selected one left-footed defender.  A stroke of genius, or a bitter mistake? Time will tell.

For years England fans have bemoaned Southgate for his lack of attacking style, and ‘why didn’t you pick this forward?’ and as the three lions have failed to lift that trophy, the criticism has continued.

But maybe that’s why this year could be different, you see Southgate has been ruthless, he’s cut his trusted soldiers, he’s thrown away his five defender trump cards and he’s picked a group of young forwards and midfielders who offer a whole different aspect. Is this the Southgate we all really wanted? Maybe.

No matter what, the job of England manager is an almost untenable one, and this Euro’s may be the worse for scrutiny. We’re always going to think we know better.

It’s all about realising potential, and that’s the biggest feeling with this England team. We’ve unearthed superstars, have experienced stalwarts and still have numbers left over with bags of untethered talent. In the past it’s been ‘why didn’t you play him?’ now we have a whole group of attackers that fit that category. For the first time, you’d arguably go at Southgate for not making defensive decisions, who’d of thought that?

The formula for England will be all about the midfield, with the defence being as it is, a lot rests on the shoulders of the likes of Declan Rice. It’s rumoured that Rice will play alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold in a double pivot, and whilst Rice is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, Trent’s defensive qualities are few and far between. It’s a lot to ask, but Rice has the quality and will be one of, if not the key for Southgate.

For England’s only left-footed defender, Luke Shaw, the pressure for him to be fit will grow depending on how we survive the group stage. Do well, he can be eased, lose against Serbia, it could be strap him up and run him out.

Whilst (for once) you’d be excused for shivering when you think about the defence, going forward, it should be no problem for the three lions. The riches of talent, promise and quality should make England feared. Form isn’t on our side, but you can’t run away from what’s available.

Make no mistake, golden boy Jude Bellingham will be the talisman, the connecter, bringing all this together, there is no better player in world football this year, and he’s English. In front of that you have Harry Kane, who like Bellingham, knows how to score in Germany, most likely, Premier League Player of the Season, Phil Foden and Arsenal’s star, Bukayo Saka. It’s the options up here that really set us apart, Cole Palmer coming off a year of carrying Chelsea to Europe, Ebrechi Eze, part of a Crystal Palace team that look like they could beat anyone, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen, two direct wingers who have had the best last two season of their career. There’s a hero in there somewhere, and that’s before I add the midfield options.

Both Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton, two incredibly young, yet incredibly mature midfielders could be the real gamechanger this year. I have outlined the doubts with Trent going back, and whilst Southgate will most likely lean on Connor Gallagher early, Mainoo or Wharton could be the real answer when it comes to the later rounds.

The blueprint has always been defence wins championships, but England have tried that, and whilst it got us far, it never got took us to that final step. Most England fans would have hoped for Southgate to be more attacking, but maybe not this radical.

Truthfully, England can do this, but it requires it all to click, just like a team about to win promotion, it will require the rub of the green. The team needs to become fluid, the attacking options need to find their form quick, that’s where this side differs, Rice and co need to mop up any cracks, Shaw needs to be fit and firing by the Slovenia game. This team is more than good enough.

I will always have an issue with Southgate’s tactical style, I’m a pessimist (try being a Bolton fan) but in this case I believe it will all be about that midfield selection, our defence will leave gaps, it will leave things to be desired, that being said it is still solid. It’s what’s in front of it that matters, and whilst I would favour a single pivot, playing someone alongside Rice that can drop deep, will be key. Up top, its just about finding the guys who can discover form, and we have more than enough options to work that out.

So, to answer the question, England can go all the way, the stakes have never been higher, but neither have the options this team has, it’s all about making it click, because if we can, there’s a real chance, maybe a last chance.