Gareth Southgate's two gambles have given England behind-the-scenes boost at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate took a big gamble on axing Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish from his Euros squad.
Maguire was for fitness reasons and Grealish just had not played enough minutes but, even so, they were seen as the big calls as they have big game experience and tournament experience. England go into this Euros with a young squad and 12 players without major tournament experience.
Now, you could see that as a negative. Or you could view it positively in that they will be ready to seize their chance and, as Harry Kane suggested this week, they will be “fearless” because they do not carry any baggage or disappointment.
And having seen some of those new players at close quarters this week, you do see that they have brought a freshness, an energy and also a lovely attitude to the group.
For example, Eberechi Eze is just a fabulous guy. What a talent and what a season he has had. He could be seen as something of a replacement for Grealish and that’s a big responsibility. But Eze spoke with confidence and maturity at the media centre on Thursday. This is the guy who missed the last Euros after busting his Achilles on the day he was included in the provisional squad.
And the guy who was rejected by so many clubs as a kid and yet refused to give up and now is generous to a fault to kids on their journey up. To have good, kind souls in the group is exactly why England have a nice culture under Southgate. People may say you need a winning culture above everything. But to win, you have to have good people, understanding and camaraderie.
This feels like a young group. But they are together and that bond and unity is driving them on. I do think this will be Southgate’s last tournament. That’s my feeling. No more. But whatever happens, he now has a new group of players coming through with really good personalities.
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DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 9: Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire of England during the England training session on match day -1 at the Al Wakrah Sports Club on December 9, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
There are no cliques or egos in the younger guys. It’s lovely to see. I’m so ready for the tournament now. It’s a bit strange here because England are in such a remote place for their training base that you do not feel Euros fever has gripped anyone.
We’re staying in Erfurt, a nearby city. A few flags were going up on Thursday and there’s a beginning of a buzz now… Is England buzzing? You tell me. Have we had too much football? Too much of an overlap? I do feel once the tournament gets going, the fun and excitement takes over.
It will be lively in Munich, that’s for sure. But maybe for England to get their own fever going here and back home, they need to win on Sunday - and that will only add to the lovely mood around the camp.
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