MyBettingSites had the pleasure of sitting down with Liverpool and England legend John Barnes who shared his views on who he believes are the favourites for the Euro 2024 Championships so far. After France’s 1-0 victory over Austria yesterday Barnes is convinced they are the favourites for the tournament but remains unsure of their competition.
In this article:
- France are favourites to win the Euros
- England are lacking a balance across the pitch
- Southgate needs to find a system to fit Bellingham, Saka and Foden
- You can’t ask anymore from Southgate than what he’s delivered
- Ronaldo isn’t dynamic enough for Portugal to be a threat
France are favourites to win the Euros
If England are to have any chance of winning the 2024 Euro Championship there’s a high percentage chance they will have to overcome John Barnes’ favourite France, who managed to overcome a Ralf Ragnick led Austria on Monday evening. Barnes highlights the strength and pace of France as the difference between them and their rivals for the tournament.
“I think France are the favourites. They were in the World Cup final. They’re in form, have good balance. They’re strong, they’re quick.”
“England obviously are one of the favourites, notwithstanding their defeat against Iceland.”
“Holland beat Iceland 4-0 does that mean they’re bigger favourites than Iceland, I don’t think so.”
“For me, France is my favourite. But when you talk about the Euros, the usual suspects – France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy – will be there but France for me are the favourites.”
England are lacking a balance across the pitch
When the England squad was announced, the interesting inclusions were young midfielders such as Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo who lack the experience of a Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips but profile wise provide Southgate with some unique options as England seek to navigate the remaining group games. Barnes remains concerned with the options to play alongside Declan Rice in tandem with the left back issue in which Kieran Trippier is currently deputising.
“We haven’t got good balance because we don’t have four good defenders. That’s why I think England will have to take two defensive midfield players. Rice and Mainoo because you have to protect the back four.”
“As for attacking players you’ve got Harry Kane, Bellingham, Foden, Cole Palmer and Saka. That for me is not the best balance. Unfortunately we are imbalanced.”
“In defence, we have one of the right-backs as a left-back. The problem they have is not personnel but the lack of defenders and defensive midfielders.”
Southgate needs to find a system to fit Bellingham, Saka and Foden
One of the huge talking points since England’s 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday evening was the struggles of Phil Foden who flattered to deceive in comparison to the form he has shown for Manchester City. Barnes feels as though Southgate is still searching to find the right balance across the team. Whilst players such as Saka tend to maintain width, the likes of Foden, Bellingham and Cole Palmer tend to occupy central and half space areas.
“They’re not wingers are they? Saka plays more as a winger, he holds his position but Foden and Palmer like to come infield. It also depends on how Gareth wants to play because there’s no point in playing Saka if he isn’t going to compliment him with two midfielders who can play inside him.”
“They’re all good players who can do well in the right system.”
You can’t ask anymore from Southgate than what he’s delivered
Since taking over from Sam Allardyce as England manager, Gareth Southgate has succeeded in taking England to a third place finish in the 2018 World Cup, a finals defeat to Italy at the 2020 Euro Championships and a quarter finals defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup making him one of England’s most successful ever managers. Barnes is full of praise for the work Southgate has done with the national team despite critics highlighting their issues with Southgate’s pragmatism and in game management.
“Well of course, what entails silencing the doubters? Will England win the Euros? No they’re not the favourites.”
“If you get to the semi-finals or finals and you don’t win, you’ve still beaten most of the teams. He’s taken the team to a Euro final, a World Cup semi-final and a quarter-final.”
“Under certain circumstances they can win the Euros but you can’t ask any more of Gareth. England are not the best team so why should we win.”
Despite the array of talent at Southgate’s disposal, Barnes claims that English fans and the media need to move away from the notion that English football is the best in the world.
“In England of course, we think we should win but we haven’t won a tournament since 1966 and we’ve only won one. So we have to get away from this fact that English football is the best in the world.”
“Premier League football is the best in the world and that’s because of the foreign players. That’s why English football is the best when it comes to leagues. Not because of English players.”
“So, Gareth has done as well as can be expected and they can win, under circumstances. I have nothing but good things to say about Gareth.”
