Euro 2024: Former England Defender Questions Three Lions’ Chances Of Winning

Euro 2024: Former England Defender Questions Three Lions’ Chances Of Winning

Former England defender Jamie Carragher has expressed doubts about the Three Lions’ chances of winning Euro 2024, despite being regarded as pre-tournament favourites.

Gareth Southgate’s side topped Group C with five points from three matches, setting up a likely round of 16 clash with the Netherlands on Sunday evening.

England secured a 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opener but subsequently struggled to draws against Denmark and Slovenia.

Finishing first in their group has placed England on the more favourable side of the draw, with heavyweights like Portugal, France, Spain, and Germany on the opposite side.

Despite this theoretically easier path to the final, Carragher questions whether the national team has the credentials to secure their first-ever European Championship.

England have faced heavy criticism at Euro 2024.

“If the England players thought they received a backlash after the previous two games, they may need crash helmets for the next few days,” Jamie Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

“History tells us that arguing England can recover to win the competition sounds like delusion. While there’s always a chance as long as a team is still in it, there is no precedent for any side starting so poorly and needing such a mid-competition rethink and restructure, then going on to lift the trophy.

“England are in a rut, and the only obvious conclusion is that if they continue to play like this, they will lose against the first team with quality attackers who can punish them.”

Carragher has also insisted that Southgate needs to make changes for the last-16 contest, noting that Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon all had positive impacts off the bench against Slovenia.

Mainoo, Palmer, and Gordon All Pushing for Starts in Round of 16

“Southgate has backed his senior players throughout his tenure. He continued this approach with his Slovenia selection, ignoring calls for wholesale changes. However, after analyzing the game, he can no longer resist,” said Carragher.

“England need a radical solution, which means leaving out big names to give others their chance to shine. The obvious inclusions for the round of 16 are Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon. Like Mainoo, Palmer impressed as a substitute against Slovenia, and the team is more balanced with Gordon’s pace.

“Revamping part of the team and starting fresh may go against Southgate’s instincts, as he has never had to do this before in tournament football. Now, he enters every game knowing it could be his last as England manager.

“The alternative is more of the same, with players trying to create a positive narrative based on winning the group and remaining unbeaten.”

Despite being on the favourable side of the draw, England are still considered by many to be favourites to win Euro 2024, with their potential route to the final mapped out.