Euro 2020: Tournament a failure if England don’t reach semis – Southgate

England haven’t been to a World Cup Finals since 1966 and haven’t won the European Championship since 1996. They’ve been in a good place but have been unable to take that final step to becoming a world class team.

England manager Gareth Southgate has said that the Euro 2020 tournament is a failure if his side fail to qualify for the semi-finals.  His side lost to Slovakia 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament in Croatia on Monday, and they face second-tier minnows Malta on Friday.  Southgate said: “It would be a failure of the tournament and a failure of the tournament co-hosts. “We are trying to get to the last eight. If we don’t, it will be a failure of the tournament.”  Southgate said England’s first game against Switzerland on Tuesday was a chance to turn around the game, but added: “We’ve got to try and win the second game and

If I could pick five or six right backs, I would – Southgate

Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, believes that not reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 would be considered a failure. The Three Lions have reached the last four of the 2018 World Cup and will play all but one of their matches at Wembley Stadium if they reach the final. Asked if any result other than a semi-final place would be considered a failure, Southgate said: Yeah, it probably is. I think we are realistic on this issue, and we have to live with that expectation. And he added: Are we ready to win? We’ve made it to two semi-finals, so the next step is to try to move on. On Wednesday, Southgate announced his 26-man squad for Euro 2020, which begins on the 11th. The month of June is beginning. Former Middlesbrough coach Southgate was appointed in September 2016 and led the team to their best finish at a major tournament since 1990, reaching the semi-finals in Russia in 2018. A year later, they also reached the same stage of the Nations League. We know the buzz around the team and it’s great, we’ve become relevant, Southgate added. England take on World Cup finalist Croatia in the opening match, followed by a crucial game against neighbouring Scotland on 18 June and the match against the Czech Republic to close Group D on 22 June. June.

Right defender – Top 26 players

Southgate said that if he could have selected five or six right backs for the England squad, he would have done so after naming four right backs in his 26-man squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool is joined by Reece James of Chelsea, Kieran Trippier of Atletico Madrid and Kyle Walker of Manchester City. Southgate said: We have four players who sometimes play as right backs for their clubs. In fact, they are the top 26 players and that is why they are in the lineup. If I could pick five or six right backs, I would. We’re here to play nine games. We already have some injury concerns in the group. We need adaptability, good players, good professionals, tactical players, and we are fortunate to have old and young players who fit into all of these categories.

Injured Maguire and Henderson need work

Southgate was able to field 26 players to deal with the pressure of the coronavirus, three more than in previous tournaments. Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been included in the squad, although he missed the last four games of the season and the Europa League final with an ankle ligament injury. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is also on the list, although the midfielder has been out since February with a groin injury. We know exactly where he is, Southgate said of Maguire’s availability. Our medical team went to see him in Manchester and he didn’t come to us. Maguire and Henderson still have some work to do to be available, but there’s a chance they can play their roles, and the fact is they are such great characters to have in the lineup. Henderson influences others, especially young people, with his leadership and presence. Since we had 26 people to choose from, it was easy to take these two.

Bellingham is a very interesting player

Jude Bellingham, 17, has received two England caps and Bukayo Ska, 19, four. With an average age of 25 years and three months, England enter the tournament with one of the youngest teams. Borussia Dortmund’s 17-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham is one of them, becoming the second youngest English player to make it to a major tournament since Theo Walcott in 2006. Bellingham, who won the German Cup with Dortmund this season, could earn his third international cap. He’s phenomenal, Southgate said of Bellingham. Especially in the training of the last days, when a 17-year-old wants to compete with older players, he has not only the technique, but also the competitiveness and maturity, he is a very interesting player. He’s going to be an important player for England, we’re not just taking him for the experience, he’s going to be very important for him and for future England managers, because I don’t see anything in his character that won’t enable him to succeed. Choose your England team for the start of Euro 2020 Select the Training Confirmation command