EURO 2021 analysis: England will be big favourites to win at home

After France, England is the second biggest favourite to win EURO 2021. In addition, Albion’s players tend to be very strong at home. So is it their time for a big win?

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Even though Dean Henderson has scored 26 goals for Manchester United this season and is slowly but surely becoming the number one at Old Trafford, Jordan Pickford, who already has 30 starts for the national team, will probably get the space between the three sticks.

However, this season, like the whole of Everton, hasn’t worked out at all and many have often blamed him for his mistakes. In addition, Harry Maguire will most likely play in the centre of defence, with whom Henderson is already matched and for me personally, the talented English goalkeeper would be a better and ultimately more confident choice.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atlético Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

England have been practising a 4-3-3 attacking formation this season, so expect a back four of Shaw, Maguire, Stones and Walker. If none of the stoppers get injured, England will be very strong at the back!

What Gareth Southgate will definitely not have problems with anymore, however, is the edges of the defence. He has Shaw or Chilwell on the left and Walker, Alexander-Arnold, James or Trippier on the right. What would Germany, for example, give for that luxury.

England, however, may just as easily switch to a 3-4-3 formation in which we would probably see a central trio of Maguire, Stones and Walker at the back and the flanks would be catered for by Shaw/Chilwell and Alexander-Arnold.

With one exception they played that style for the whole of 2020, but this year Southgate has already reverted back to four defenders. Players are used to both styles and England will be all the less legible for it.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham)

In midfield, you can count on one of two defensive shields – Henderson and Rice. After that, England’s line-up is very variable and Mount, Foden or the much-used Phillips could come in alongside one of the two players mentioned.

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

It is the attack that will be the biggest strength of the England national team. No doubt the team’s captain Kane will be at the spearhead of the attack. He will be complemented on the wings by Rashford, Foden, Mount, Sterling or Sancho.

Any of these five can appear on the wing and again I must mention the aforementioned. It will be really hard for the opposition to prepare for one or the other option as Southgate will have 5 of them right away.

Key success factors:: Reliable goalkeeper and creativity in midfield

England have always suffered from a “poor quality” goalkeeper and low creativity in midfield. And it is these two factors that I believe will once again determine Albion’s success or failure.

As far as goalkeeper is concerned, I would clearly choose Henderson for two reasons – his performances this season and his partnership with Maguire. Pickford is a good goalkeeper, but he can often make the unforgivable mistake that there is no room for in the Championship. Plus, he hasn’t exactly had a great season this year.

The problems in the midfield should be solved by the Mount – Foden duo. They are very young players, but their performances this season have made it clear that they have what it takes to win big trophies. The Champions League final is proof of that.

A frequent problem with the English national team, from my point of view, has been the coach. Southgate is no tactical wizard, but he led his charges to the semi-finals last time out and the whole team should capitalise on that experience to perform at Wembley on 11 July.

Semi-final

Source: Three Lions, Transfermarkt