Jack Grealish says the talent at England’s disposal puts them among the favourites for Euro 2024 next year.
Gareth Southgate has introduced a wealth of talent since taking over as national team manager from Sam Allardyce in 2016 but is yet to end the Three Lions’ long wait for a second piece of men’s international silverware.
Semi-final and quarter-final World Cup exits came before and after a run to the Euro 2020 final where England were beaten on penalties by Italy, but Manchester City winger Grealish has revealed the squad believes it has what it takes to get over the line at the tournament next year.
He told The Times: “We feel now is the perfect time to succeed together. You look at the talent we have – Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, [Bukayo] Saka, [Phil] Foden, [Marcus] Rashford, Declan Rice, all these players, it’s just unbelievable. The defenders as well. Kyle Walker, he’s what now; 33? I said to him to the other day, ‘Mate, I think this is the best I’ve ever seen you.’
“This is one we’re really looking at to try and win the tournament. Imagine how amazing it would be for the country? We do feel this is our time. Definitely that swagger and that belief within ourselves, we have that now.”
England’s efforts at previous tournaments have been harmed by a lack of squad cohesion – the ‘golden generation’ of 2006 being a major example – but Grealish pointed to his club’s recent loss at Arsenal as cause for optimism in that regard.
He added: “We got beaten by Arsenal and as much as I’m the worst sore loser ever, the next day I come here and I’m with Declan Rice and he’s one of my best friends. That’s the beauty of it. Going back in the day, I heard a few of them [like Rio Ferdinand] say they had such a talented squad but I don’t know if they really got on with each other. When we come here, we proper get on.
“Back in the day, I don’t know if people would fake injuries but people here, they get injured and want to come here to see the guys instead of staying at their club. Last month I was injured and I came and met up with the guys, stayed for a night. Saka came and did it. Luke Shaw did. It’s brilliant.”
England still need to rubber stamp their place in Germany next year and can do so by beating Italy on Tuesday night at Wembley.
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