b'Euro 2024 is just round the corner, and excitement is growing, with football fans expecting to watch the best players in the world competing for the prestigious trophy. For many players, and even coaches and managers, it will be a new experience, but for others who have lit up the stage ENGLAND time and time again, it will be a last dance. When a major tournament like the Euros comes around, everyone talks about who is Its coming home has been a chant for the masses every time a newgoing to go far, and, of course, who will win. international tournament arrives, and England fans have been desperateOne of the teams always mentioned in the for silverware ever since they won the World Cup in 1966. The past threeconversation is England. The most difficult tournaments were especially heart-breaking, with England going forwarddecision for Gareth Southgate, Englands ever deeper into the contest, only to fall just short of victory.manager, will be who is going on the plane to Germany; and for England, there are three or four I truly believe this year it will change! quality options who have performed magnificently throughout this season, core players like Harry Kane, Players may be good, but what is a team without cohesion? PSG and ChelseaBukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Kyle have shown that buying the best players is not a way to build a teama unitedWalker and Jordan Pickford. A big question is whether side needs a playing style, and a purpose to continue fighting. Teams likeMarcus Rashford will make the squad despite his Leverkusen have just that, as they may not have the best line-up in Europe, butpoor form in a Manchester United shirt, and similar they do have a clear playing style and, more importantly, a spirit and a drive todoubts hang over teammate Jadon Sancho, who win. The current English game too has all these qualitiesgreat players, a clearhas seen his fortunes wane during his return to playing style, a strong sense of cohesion at the heart of its play. And best of all,Dortmund. Sancho was praised as the best player determination and commitment. on the pitch in the first leg of the Champions League As avid fans know, England has always been blessed with young, generationalsemi-final, ahead of players such as Kylian Mbapp talent, but this year the abundant level of potential cannot be overstated.and Ousmane Dembele, and awarded man of the Southgates defensive, possession-based football has young players whomatch; he showed that he was willing to work hard occupy key roles, players such as Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Fodenand track back to help his teammates in the second and Harry Kane. Southgate is known for his love of centre backs and slowleg, when Dortmund put in a supreme defensive defensive football, with an emphasis on positional play and intelligent movementperformance, a commitment that could place him in off the ball. England players maintain compactness and shape, both in and outGareth Southgates squad.of possession, with defensive prowess provided by the likes of Declan RiceOllie Watkins outrageous form at Aston Villa, scoring and Kobbie Mainoo, who act as the basis upon which Englands attacking19 goals in the Premier League at time of writing threat flourishes. Rices ability to read the game, to intercept opposition passes,this analysis, may mean that players such as Callum and then drive into space has in the past enabled England to launch quickWilson will miss selection. Gareth Southgates England counterattacks, when players are employed to exchange positions seamlessly,side is often criticised for its pragmatic approach in and create mismatches in order to exploit gaps in an opponents defence. Fluiditymatches, especially in the high-pressure games where is created by the movement of players such as Phil Foden and Cole Palmer,Southgate has had the opportunity to put attacking who drift between the lines, dropping deep to receive the ball, and then makingplayers on the pitch, but has decided being solid darting runs into the goal area. at the back gives the team a better chance to win. England certainly has some of the best set-pieces in the tournament, with playersWhat is certain is that the country will be fully behind such as James Tavernier and Trent Alexander-Arnold creating big chances,Englands campaign in Germany this summer, with feeding attackers such as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as they go for glory.full analysis from football commentators and pundits And this summer the nation hopes to witness this time and again, as Englandas they debate whether Southgates men are viable has everything that makes a great team. If they can use their players effectively,contenders for the trophy, arguing about the many they will breeze through the tournament and claim victory in Euros 2024.outstanding players mentioned here, evaluating who and what makes them tick.Ashveer Singh, Year 9 Mohammed Zaman, Year 931'