UEFA EURO 2016: England team preview

So here we are again, every two years the nation pins up its St George’s flags in the hope that their team can bring home some international success for the first time since 1966.

Usually this optimism turns to anger and tears within a few days but this time England may actually do something (I’ve just cursed it, haven’t I?).

Experienced international manager Roy Hodgson guided his side through the qualification stage with ease as England were the best team out of all 53 sides that took part; winning all 10 of their games with a goal difference of +28. Of course this was helped by the fact that it was a very weak group but that incredible record will have given a great boost to the players.

England find themselves in Group B alongside Russia, Slovakia and next-door neighbours Wales. Hodgson will have been happy with the draw as England should be able to get through that group with relative ease (just try not to think of the 2010 World Cup). The only potential hazard is the ‘British derby’ match between England and Wales where emotions could come into play but England fans are expecting at least a quarter final appearance in France this summer.

The less said about previous tournaments the better. England are generally good qualifiers but when it comes to the real deal they tend to disappoint and rarely get passed the quarter finals (usually being knocked out on penalties).

EURO 2016 Squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Gray Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton).

Midfielders:  James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jack Wilshire (Arsenal), Ross Barkley (Everton), Dele Alli (Tottenham).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd).

Key Player: Jamie Vardy

England, unlike most countries, don’t really have one single outstanding player. This is probably a good thing as it shows the depth of their squad and it is a good squad which wins you tournaments, not just a single player.

There are arguments for several players to be England’s key to success at Euro 2016 but I will pick out Jamie Vardy. The Leicester City striker’s rise from non-league to international footballer via a bout of depression is nothing short of miraculous. His form this season has been excellent, resulting in 24 goals (only one behind fellow England striker Harry Kane) and six assists as the Foxes defied the odds, 5000/1 to be exact, to lift the Premier League title.

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The 29-year-old offers something different to England’s attacking options in his willingness to run the channels and chase down lost causes which allows his team to win the ball higher up the pitch. Add his high acceleration and ability to finish into this mix and England have a complete striker.

If Hodgson opts for Harry Kane as his central striker then Vardy also has the ability to play in a wider role and has already performed well in this position for England.

With his no nonsense non-league background and seemingly limitless energy, Vardy will provide England with a threat that most mollycoddled, academy developed opposition defenders will have no idea how to handle. He truly is a unique player at this tournament.

Qualifying 

Group Matches

England v Russia – 11 June, 2016

England v Wales – 16 June, 2016

Slovakia v England – 20 June, 2016

Click here for the full Euro 2016 match schedule. 

Verdict

England should breeze through this group and I see no challenge coming from any of the other three sides in Group B.  With this in mind you can go for Hodgson’s men to be group winners at 5/6 or, if you are feeling a bit more confident, can back them to win all three of their fixtures and have a points total of 9 at 5/1.

In terms of further progression in the tournament, they are likely to face either Ukraine or Turkey in a last 16 game in Paris which you would be confident in backing England to win. After that a quarter final place would most likely see them play Belgium or Italy. Of course a lot depends on how momentum goes in the tournament and there will always be surprises but you would imagine that the Red Devils or the Azzurri would be too much for England at this stage. A quarter final elimination (England’s most common route of exit) is priced at 12/5 but, with many thinking this young squad can go a step further and be the tournament’s dark horse, a price of 9/2 on a semi-final defeat is offered to those few optimists.

England’s first match against Russia will be interesting and will really set the tone for the Three Lions at Euro 2016. Leonid Slutsky’s Russia side’s biggest strength is going forward as their centre backs, Vasili Berezutski and Sergei Iganshevich, have a combined age of 69 and therefore are lacking that extra yard of pace which England should be able to exploit.

However, many questions have also been raised about Roy Hodgson’s back-line so I think both teams to score (6/5) is a good bet. Overall, you would expect England to come out on top in this match so adding a Three Lions win to that both teams to score bet gives you a price of 4/1.