England coach Gareth Southgate says he is happy to see his team’s talent playing at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions coach has named his final squad for the tournament in Germany, reducing his provisional squad from 33 to 26.
James Maddison, Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish were among the names left out but there are still plenty of heavy hitters among the final cut.
England came so close to glory at Euro 2020, losing on penalties in the final in Italy and breaking the hearts of the thousands who flocked to Wembley Stadium to watch their country play for the big trophy.
This island nation has not won a tournament since the 1966 World Cup but there is a different feeling about the squad that will go to the tournament in Germany.
A mixture of youth and experience will lead the attack, with Harry Kane captaining the side and having the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham supporting him.
Time to go live with Gareth Southgate again @_DeclanRice from the #Three Lions camp! 🚨
– England (@England) June 6, 2024
But England now have plenty of talented players when they need them, with Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze all there.
And Southgate is excited to see them playing for their nation’s pride.
Speaking after announcing his team, he said: “I’m happy! Another night we had a lot of experienced attacking players not starting and we still had a lot of goals in the team.
“We were still able to get people off the bench to score goals, which in my head, in terms of attack, is very important.
“There are many teams that can win. A very open competition. We are excited about our prospects, we have experience, but we know we have to deliver this time.
“We are happy with what we have. It is clear that we are going to a tournament where it is not known what will be played.
Yours #Three Lions for #EURO2024! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/klzkNNTafI
– England (@England) June 6, 2024
“But we have a lot of experience in the team in competitions but also in big games at club level. All of that adds up to make us a really good team.”
The key for this England team is to use their experience to guide young players – some playing in their first major tournament – where they need to be.
Southgate says he will call on his leaders to make a difference this summer and hopes he has made the right call in bringing the squad together.
He added: “Leadership is the most important part of any successful team.
“We still have a lot of players with 50 or more caps, Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
“Kieran Tripper is very close to that figure. We have young leaders, so we have always been blessed to have leaders in the team.”
England’s Euro 2024 campaign will begin on June 16 against Serbia.
