England’s Route to Euro 2024
England are just a few weeks away from the start of their chance at redemption. England fans will remember losing to Italy in the final in the last competition. They were able to put that disappointment behind them in the qualifying group as Gareth Southgate’s team once again cruised through to the tournament.
Despite facing the team that beat them in the final, England managed to get through their qualifying group undefeated, conceding just four goals in their eight games. They were able to beat Italy twice, with draws coming against N Macedonia and Ukraine. They were one of just three teams who didn’t lose in the qualifying group stage.
Who were England’s best Players in Qualifying?
As it has been for a few years now, it was the Harry Kane show for England. He scored eight goals in eight games, top scoring in Group C and finishing 4th for goals in European qualifying. He was brilliant as both a link-up player and a finisher, with the Bayern Munich forward undoubtedly being a huge part of England’s success moving forward.
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka was England’s second top scorer and will be a big part of Southgate’s plans for the future. Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford played every minute of England’s qualifying campaign so will certainly be starters for the Euros. Interestingly, England’s third top scorer from qualifying is Marcus Rashford, who will likely not feature in this tournament.
Team Strengths and Playing Style
England certainly have a few strengths that are going to make them contenders for the Euros. Their attacking talent is almost as good as any team in the competition, aided by Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden and Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.
If we take a look at previous tournaments, then there is one word for how England have played, defensive. Gareth Southgate has often gone for a conservative approach, even at times using five at the back to solidify their defence. England had the second-best defence in qualifying despite playing the reigning champions twice.
Don’t be shocked if England have a slightly more defensive approach heading into this tournament despite all of the attacking options that they have. When England do attack, most of their play runs through Harry Kane who tends to drop into a deeper role. This should help to allow Foden, Saka and Bellingham to attack the box.
Penalty and set piece takers
Penalties
- Harry Kane- England’s captain who is certain to be the penalty taker whenever he is on the pitch.
- Ivan Toney- The team’s backup striker who has an excellent Premier League penalty record which should translate to the national team.
- Bukayo Saka- Arsenal’s penalty taker who has scored six times for Arsenal this season.
Short range free kicks
- Kieran Tripper- England free kick hero from 2018 has a good shot at starting at left back and could therefore be the free kick taker.
- Harry Kane- While the former Tottenham superstar is not the most common free kick taker, he could be a good option.
- James Maddison- Undoubtedly one of the best free kick takers in the Premier League, Maddison will be on free kicks if he can actually get on the pitch.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold- Liverpool’s Right Back could feature in midfield for England and when he is on the pitch, he will be standing over short free kicks
Long range free kicks
- Phil Foden- In part down to his stature and technical ability, Foden will be swinging the ball in for England.
- Kieran Trippier– Newcastle Right Back Kieran Tripper could be a great option for England.
- Declan Rice- Rice has been a long range free kick taker for England in recent friendlies.
Corners
- Phil Foden- With the ability of his left foot, watch for Foden to collect a couple of assists from corners
- Declan Rice- Rice will be swinging in any corner with his right foot
Ariel Threats from set pieces
- Harry Maguire- The man who played every minute of England’s qualifying campaign has scored multiple times for his country with his head.
- Harry Kane- Kane is just as good with his head as he is with his feet and can be a real threat from set pieces
- Jude Bellingham- People forget just how good Real Madrid’s superstar is with his head
England expected formation and lineup for EURO 2024
Gareth Southgate is a difficult man to predict and so it is not easy to say what his formation is going to be. Based on recent performances, it makes sense that Southgate will go with either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, mainly down to how high up he wants Jude Bellingham to play.
There are a few positions where it is pretty simple to pick. But there are two major talking points. The first is who plays at left back if Luke Shaw is not healthy as he looks likely to miss the tournament. This team features Shaw as he is in the squad, but watch out for Kieran Trippier or Joe Gomez to take his spot.
The second is who plays alongside Rice and Bellingham in midfield. The most likely option seems to be Kobbie Mainoo after his stellar season for his club. But Southgate could be tempted to go with the experience of Connor Gallagher or even take a risk on Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
England’s predicted lineup
GK- Jordan Pickford
RB- Kyle Walker
RCB- John Stones
LCB- Harry Maguire
LB- Luke Shaw
RCM- Declan Rice
LCM- Kobbie Mainoo
CAM- Jude Bellingham
LW- Phil Foden
ST- Harry Kane
RW- Bukayo Saka
Fixture analysis
England have a slightly easier group than most, facing Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia. It is a group that they are expected to cruise through, with much tougher tests ahead. If England do win their group, they will face the highest ranked 3rd place finisher from groups D/E and F.
It is the quarter-finals where things get particularly tough. England have a good chance of facing either Italy or Spain to reach the final four stage, where a World Cup rematch with France could be on the cards. England have not always faired well against top opposition in recent tournaments, but have performed very well whenever they are the favourites.
Best England Players to pick in Euro 2024
Key Stars
- Harry Kane- By far the most obvious fantasy points scorer for England this summer. With 11m price teag in EURO Fantasy he is the most expensive player in the game alongside Mbappe. Arguably the best striker in the world, Kane will rack up plenty of fantasy points with his goals and assists.
- Phil Foden- The Premier League Player of the Year, Foden is far from a traditional winger. While he will start out on the left, Foden will cut inside and get involved with play whenever possible. He will get a lot of goals and assists for England this tournament after a spectacular season with Manchester City.
- Jude Bellingham– Real Madrid’s superstar has played a much more attacking role this season and was recently listed as a forward in England’s training squad for the tournament. He is going to play a big part in England’s attack.
Budget Players
- Declan Rice- Rice being the deepest midfielder in England’s team might put some fantasy owners off. But Rice has more than a few goal contributions for Arsenal this season and will involved in plenty of set pieces for England this summer.
- Harry Maguire– Fantasy owners are often worried about whether their players will start, well that is not a concern for Maguire. He has played every single minute of England’s qualifying campaign and is a big part of Southgate’s plans. He could even pop up with a couple of goals this tournament with his head.
- Luke Shaw– This is one of the risker choices, as Luke Shaw’s health is a big talking point. If the Manchester United defender is healthy for the tournament, he has shown in the past he can get plenty of attacking contributions from his defensive position.
Lesser-Known options
- Ollie Watkins- While Ollie Watkins is certainly not a new player to Premier League fans, he doesn’t have much experience with England. But after his brilliant performances this season and the disappointing campaign that Marcus Rashford has had, Watkins looks set for a huge tournament. He could be a big impact maker for England off the bench.
- Kobbie Mainoo- Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been a revelation in 2024. It led to him making his England debut a couple of months ago and Mainoo could be the answer in England’s midfield alongside Declan Rice. As he has done for United, Mainoo could easily pop up with some attacking contributions for his country.
- Connor Gallagher- If Southgate doesn’t want to put all of his faith in Mainoo, then Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher would be a good option. Gallagher is one of the hardest workers in the England squad and could be a good option if Southgate chooses him moving forward.
