There are no excuses this time for England ahead of the Euros 2024, says Robbie Slater
They came so close three years ago to breaking the curse that haunts the nation at every major tournament, but this time there are no excuses for England at Euro 2024, Socceroos’ great Robbie Slater believes.
There will be no excuses for a star-studded England team if it fails to win the 2024 Euros.
Having come so close on home soil at Wembley when beaten in a penalty shootout by Italy in the final of the previous edition of the tournament, England has arrived in Germany with a stronger squad.
The English contingent includes Real Madrid star and La Liga player of the season Jude Bellingham, Manchester City gun and Premier League player of the season Phil Foden and the European Golden Shoe winner, Bayern Munich ace Harry Kane.
Adding to that imposing trio are the likes of Declan Rice, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier in a squad that has immense talent all over the park.
Quite simply, it’s England time.
It’s astounding, as well as unacceptable, that such a strong footballing nation has only won a major trophy once, the 1966 World Cup, and nothing else in the 58 years since.
The expectation and pressure on the team, particularly from their own fans, will be enormous, but Gareth Southgate’s men must learn how to deal with it.
Southgate is also under pressure. He has been in charge of the England team since 2016 and hasn’t delivered in terms of silverware.
There have been countless times during his tenure where critics have called for him to be sacked, particularly considering the amount of top-class and better credentialed managers who would love the job.
If England comes up short again, Southgate’s stint must be in serious jeopardy.
His team can ease pressure on itself and its manager by starting its campaign in style on Monday morning (AEST) against Serbia.
A good start will increase confidence and self-belief among the English players, and should flow on to England’s other group matches against Denmark and Slovenia.
If England can’t top its group, hardly the strongest in the tournament, then the Three Lions’ ability to be crowned European champions must be seriously questioned.
As to which nations loom as England’s biggest threats to achieve glory, three stand out – France, Germany and Portugal.
The French went within a whisker of winning the 2022 World Cup, and will again be led in attack by the brilliant Kylian Mbappé and directed in the midfield by the superb Eduardo Camavinga.
As hosts, the Germans are a genuine chance, with the February return to international football of experienced midfielder Toni Kroos – who will retire from all football after the tournament – a huge boost to Die Mannschaft’s chances.
A well-balanced Portuguese team containing the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be underestimated.
As for the rest, very little has been said about the defending champions, but it would be silly to write off the Italians despite their failure to qualify for the past two World Cups.
However, the time has come for England to finally win a major tournament again. I think Southgate’s men will lift the trophy, but if they don’t, the consequences will be substantial.
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