After three years the wait for redemption is over for England as the delayed 2020 European Championships kicks off today (Friday).
England begin their campaign against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday, with their best squad in several tournaments and heaps of expectation to accompany it.
On Sunday night England rounded off their preparation for the tournament, beating Romania 1-0 at Riverside Stadium thanks to a Marcus Rashford penalty. A returning Jordan Henderson missed the opportunity to double England’s lead, seeing his spot kick saved to deny him his first England goal.
It sees England enter the Euros with six consecutive wins despite unconvincing performances against Romania and Austria in their last two. Jordan Henderson’s involvement is a concern, looking off the pace having been out with a groin injury.
But the bigger concern was him taking the penalty off of Calvert Lewin. As a leader in the squad a degree of selflessness is required to help galvanise the squad and help make teammates better. If England are to be successful at this tournament, Calvert Lewin is going to need to provide goals off the bench and netting in the final friendly would have given him the perfect boost.
On Monday morning England manager Gareth Southgate finalised his squad, calling up Ben White for the injured Trent Alexander Arnold.
It is a decision which has raised eyebrows amongst supporters as it suggests Maguire’s injury is worse than Southgate feared, and that the manager is unconvinced by his other centre back options.
James Ward Prowse seemed the natural replacement for Alexander Arnold due to his set piece ability and versatility to cover in midfield and on the right, so the decision to call up Ben White instead suggests there are issues in the England defence.
It is also a surprise that none of Lewis Dunk, James Tarkowski or Fikayo Tomori were considered for that position given their pedigree over recent years. But Ben White is the man who got the call so good luck to him.
England’s tournament will kick off on Sunday at 2pm against a Croatia side that knocked them out of the World Cup semi-final in 2018.
Since then, England’s young squad has developed, and a midfield revamp gives them a new dynamic, helping Southgate feel more comfortable with a back four. The loss of Maguire will undoubtably be felt but on balance England enter the tournament with their best squad in years.
Meanwhile Croatia will field a relatively familiar aging side who have had a rockier path into this tournament. But the quality in their midfield still gives them a chance against most teams.
Prediction: England 2-1 Croatia
The Euro’s officially kicks off with Italy vs Turkey at the Stadio Olympico on Friday at 8pm. The curtain raiser features two teams who have struggled over recent years but both seem to be returning to their best.
Italy, managed by Roberto Manchini, enter the tournament on a 25-match unbeaten run, having not lost since June 2018. They have kept clean sheets in their last five games and offer one of the sternest defences heading into the Euros, led by veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Turkey enters the tournament 6 matches unbeaten and include trio Burak Yilmaz, Yusuf Yazici and Zeki Celik from French champions Lille, alongside a host of other promising talent.
It is set up to be an entertaining game to kick off an exciting tournament with international fans returning to propel their teams.
My tournament predictions:
Biggest Underachiever: Netherlands
Since the departure of Ronald Koeman in August 2020, Frank De Boer has come in and changed Netherlands’ system, lining up in a 5-3-2. There have been suggestions that some of the players are unhappy with the system and playing style which could hold them back at the tournament. Key defender Matthijs De Ligt is unfamiliar in a back three and could be exposed as a result and a flat three in midfield limits the goal threat of Georginio Wijnaldum, who is tangled in contract negotiations for his club future.
Both Ukraine and Austria will represent early tests for the Netherlands, and should they top the group, they would end up facing either France, Germany or Portugal in the round of 16, likely leading to an early and disappointing exit.
Dark Horse: Italy, Denmark
It is hard to call Italy a dark horse but given recent tournaments and the fact they are listed outside the top four favourites, they are my pick for a dark horse who could go all the way. All the attention is on England, Belgium and Group F with France, Germany and Portugal, leaving Italy to fly under the radar. As noted in their preview above, they are on a 25-match unbeaten run and their defensive resilience will make them a tough team to beat in a knockout format, whilst also having the likes of Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne to score the goals at the other end. The have the tools to capitalise if the favourites falter.
Since Italy are a borderline dark horse pick due to their stature, I will also list Denmark as a dark horse. Denmark, led by Christian Eriksen, have been handed a favourable group with Belgium, Finland and Russia, so will be expected to qualify, whilst also getting a chance to test themselves against a strong Belgium side. Second in Group B will play second in Group A which would likely set up a round of 16 tie against either Switzerland, Turkey or Wales, giving Denmark a great opportunity to make the quarter-final and maybe more.
Top Scorer: Romelu Lukaku
There is no doubt who will get the chances for Belgium and they are a team expected to make at least the semi-final, giving them plenty of matches to rack up the goals. Lukaku is coming off a 30-goal season in 44 games, having helped Inter to the Serie A title. With Kevin De Bruyne and possibly Eden Hazard out for the first game, the stage is set for Lukaku to get off to a flying start en route to the golden boot.
Tournament Winner: France
It is hard to look past France for this tournament. They have the best squad and are coming off a World Cup win and a finals appearance in the last Euros. Their team is settled unlike many others, and I expect this familiarity and star power to see them through. The addition of Benzema could cause issues off the field but adding his quality on the pitch just gives them another incredible option. Fighting through Germany and Portugal in their group will set themselves up well for the knockout stages.
Adam Perry – 11/06/2021