AFP: England’s quest to win a first major tournament since 1966 starts afresh yesterday as the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 qualifying campaign begins with a testing trip to champions Italy. After taking time to consider his future following a World Cup quarter-final exit to France in December, Gareth Southgate will remain in charge as England boss for a fourth attempt at glory. Southgate has overseen a transformation of his country’s fortunes on the international stage.
But after reaching a quarter-final, semi-final and final in their last three major tournaments, anything less than ending a 58-year trophy drought in Germany next year will be seen as a disappointment. Southgate might have sounded a warning this week about the declining number of England-qualified players playing regularly in the Premier League, but he admitted that is a worry for the long term given the array of talent available to him currently.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham proved themselves to be two of the brightest young talents in world football in Qatar. Harry Kane’s next goal for his country will make him England’s leading scorer in history, while Marcus Rashford’s potential is finally being realised under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.