Why England are favourites for Euro 2024

It’s just 84 days until the European Championships begin in Germany - so we are looking ahead to Euro 2024, with a particular focus on two of the favourites; France & England.

Host Michael Bailey is joined by England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke, PSG and Fulham writer Peter Rutzler, plus data writer Thom Harris to discuss who could possibly take home the trophy come July.

00:00 Intro
01:48 Southgate & picking players
04:31 England media day
07:16 Where best to play Declan Rice
08:48 Panel picks ideal starting XI
20:32 Where do England’s problems lie?
23:50 England’s quality
23:17 Group C
24:49 Southgate’s future at England
26:16 International friendlies
31:10 EURO play offs
31:34 Who are the favourites to win EURO 2024?
32:38 Which player has more caps for their country?
38:38 EURO 2024 groups
43:22 Final comments

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Thumbnail: James Gill - Danehouse / Contributor / Getty Images

#euro2024 #england #france

[laurasands]

England favourites???? Has Southgate been sacked????

[HarmvanderWilt]

On paper England looks amazing. But apart from France, if Germany and Portugal reach their potential, you are looking at some serious competition. But saying this as a Dutchman, this is the best English team I have seen so far. Much better than the 2006 squad. Yes they had the big names, but it just didnt work together. But now, you have much more variety tactically speaking.

[tmedina]

England always have the best squad, but they also have Southgate.

[Contextualiser-tnnd]

Writing off Italy is insane, particularly if we're talking about a tournament hosted in Germany. Remember the last time this happened (2006).
Am not writing off the hosts either, they had a slump in the early 2000s and then experienced a resurgence off the back of hosting a tournament.

[Alex-cmhr]

France have a top goalkeeper and about 10 centre backs who would get in the England team. They are big favourites. Followed by England and Portugal.

[TheKrostiman]

England are not favourites not with Maguire and Pickford. they got away with a lot of mistakes against Brazil and looked like clear weaknesses in the squad.

[joelthorpe]

I'd have Rice as the holder with Foden and Bellingham either side as 8s. If Foden is the LW then I'd have Trent as an 8.

[kratos]

England become favourites every time when a tournament comes than loses it

[callumalston]

shaw has been fantastic when he's played and sets Marcus free on the left, how on earth is it a form question? It's a fitness issue only...

[TobyElmendorf]

I mean on paper they have either the best or 2nd/3rd best team In the tournament.
England: 

Pickford
Shaw
Maguire
Trent
Rice
Bellingham
Foden
Saka
Kane
Rashford

France:

Maignan(Areola)
Theo
Saliba
Konate
Boey(Kounde)
Tchouameni
Camavinga(WZE)
Rabiot
Grizou
Kolo
Mbappe

GK: France
LB: France but closer than you think
CB: France
CB: France
RB: England
DM: England but closer than you think
CM: England
CM: England
RW: England
ST: England
LW: France

It's very close between the two, alough France is stronger defensively with Saliba and Ibou, England are ridiculous everywhere else. Portugal or the Netherlands could be in the mix but the favorites are England or France.

This is coming from someone who really wouldn't like England to win as an American.

[Bkesal]

I'm not English, and the incessant media narrative is as boring and nauseating as ever, but let's have it right. This squad has far too much quality and balance to not be considered potential contenders. They've got the players to attack different opposition and the depth to be able to change games. As JLA said, it's time for England to stop being concerned by what opponents can do them and start thinking of themselves as a concern for opponents.

[vandal_dk]

No goal scorers apart from Kane and Sterling?

Rashford has scored lots of goals for England. It’s just that Southgate doesn’t play him🤷🏼‍♂️

Bellingham will surely be a threat as well if Southgate plays him in a similar role to Madrid.

Saka scores goals and Foden as well. Even Rice this season.

If England can’t get a goal, it’s on Southgate.

[chrisconnor]

Its not because the man in the thumbnail…

Just make james milner the coach

[crystalencore]

A great squad on paper, but the manager? The same bloke who got Boro and England relelgated? 😬 😬 😬

[garethjenkins]

No team that takes Kieron Trippier as a left back and Jodan Henderson as a CM is going to win the Euros. He will also take Madison, who has been garbage for the second half of the season.

[harbster]

Total nonsense. The media make us favourites for every tournament. France would destroy us easily and I can't see us beating Portugal, Holland, Belgium etc etc.

[FannyShmellar]

Brazil was a wake up call. We ain’t winning under Southgate. We won’t make the final. Out ad soon as we meet any major nation, as usual.

[chrisambrose]

The English are always going to win something, they just never seem to arrive at their destination

[holgerpetersen]

As always, the English put pressure on their team that they can't handle.

[Michael-cbnm]

I’ll believe it when I see it. England are the nearly men of football at best…