Former England attacker Teddy Sheringham has identified the one attribute that could land Gareth Southgate‘s side a spot in the Euro 2024 final. The Three Lions face the Netherlands in a clutch semi-final showdown on Wednesday when they’ll face their toughest task of the tournament thus far.
England have failed to set the world alight en route to the last four in Germany, grinding out results against Slovakia and Switzerland to make it this far. Dramatic goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane rescued an extra-time win against the former before they then defeated the Swiss on penalties.
No singular star has risen to the fore in reaching the penultimate stage of the competition, but Sheringham considers that a major positive. The togetherness of the team was evident during their shootout victory over Switzerland, leading the former Manchester United and Tottenham star to highlight that bond as a critical strength of the squad.
“It’s going to take another big performance to win, but they can go out and perform and show the qualities you all have to win the game,” he told the Daily Express, via Crypto Sports betting. “This England squad is filled with top players who know how to perform on the big stage, and they have to make it count and take the chances they have.
“Make use of the brilliant team ethic you have and go and win the game. We came with the ambition of winning the Euros, so go and make it happen! You’re all top players and as a group can win the game. They will have to dig deep at times during the game, but keep playing together as a team and hopefully our top players will come alive.”
Both Bellingham and Kane boast two goals apiece in Germany, while Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka is the only other England player to score at Euro 2024. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have been largely reliant on the heroics of Liverpool‘s Cody Gakpo, who is the competition’s highest scorer still in the running for the title with three goals.
England have in the past been described as a team of individuals, never fulfilling their potential in the modern age despite consistently having squads stacked with star names. However, Southgate has assembled a side that looks more like the sum of its parts, even though they’ve yet to set the world alight this summer.
Manchester City‘s Phil Foden has suggested that could still be considered a good thing, with the team yet to show what it’s truly capable of. He told BBC 5Live and talkSPORT that England have “so many gears to go” as they bid to beat the Dutch and tee up a final against either France or Spain.
While the individual sparkle has perhaps been largely lacking, Sheringham’s comments suggest he agrees with the notion the squad has more to give. That being said, he celebrated those “top players” whom he said have “delivered when needed” and backs them to do so again in midweek.
“The inner belief the players have in themselves, and the team is there to see, and we can go on and keep pushing over the next two games with the aim of winning the tournament,” he added. “Credit to those who have come off the bench and made an impact.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk