Do England have what it takes to win the Euros this summer?

Transcript

00:00With the Premier League drawing to a dramatic close, the countdown to Euro 2024 is well and

00:05truly on. All eyes are on England, who go into the tournament with an impressive squad

00:11full of top class names. Many fans will remember the heartbreak of the 2021 tournament when England

00:18lost to Italy on penalties. The trophy seemed destined to be lifted on home soil, but the boys

00:24in white stumbled at the last hurdle. But could this year be different? Do the Three Lions finally

00:30have what it takes to bring football home? England are without a major trophy since the famous 1966

00:37World Cup win, and have never won the European Championship. England's results have ranged from

00:43magnificent to frustrating. So close, yet so far. Although, Southgate's men have had a good showing

00:51in recent major tournaments. They reached the semi-finals in the 2018 World Cup, the final

00:56in the last Euros, and the last eight in Qatar. With an attack to be feared, England have a real

01:02chance to challenge for the trophy. The squad is littered with some of the world's best names,

01:07including record goalscorer Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, tipped to be one of the world's best,

01:13the Premier League's Player and Young Players of the Year, Foden and Palmer, and Arsenal's

01:18Bukayo Saka, who usually puts in a strong performance for the Three Lions. But despite

01:24England's offensive prowess, questions remain about the midfield, and their defensive frailties

01:30still exist and could dent their ambitions. It's a familiar problem for Southgate, whose defence has

01:37been his team's biggest vulnerability. The big question is at left-back. Luke Shaw is the only

01:43recognised natural fit, but Southgate said he is a long shot to play and is being given an

01:49opportunity to prove his fitness due to a lack of options. So does Joe Gomez or Kieran Trippier

01:55start there? Could Kyle Walker swap flanks? Southgate has a tricky decision on his hands.

02:02Who are England's main rivals? The usual suspects are hosts Germany, empowered by their home crowd,

02:08and France, who are led by the seasoned Didier Deschamps, and knocked England out in the World

02:13Cup quarters. Portugal, Belgium and Spain could all be threats despite ageing teams,

02:20but England would be slight favourites in those fixtures. An optimist or avid England supporter

02:25would fancy Southgate's men against the typical powerhouses of Europe. The telling factor will

02:31be England's staunch will and experience in the crucial moments of knockout games.

02:36So can England win the Euros? On paper, absolutely. But Gareth Southgate will have

02:41some crucial decisions to make and has to hope for a fit squad if his team are to live up to

02:47high expectations of conquering Europe and finally bringing it home.