Harry Kane will lead England’s young lions into battle at Euro 2024 on Sunday evening with the aim of winning the Golden Boot.
England head coach Gareth Southgate, who will hand Marc Guehi his major tournament debut and hand Trent Alexander-Arnold a role in central midfield, is putting the finishing touches to his side’s preparations for tonight’s tournament opener against Serbia.
Captain Kane will be relied on to score the goals that will earn England’s first major trophy since 1966, with the Bayern Munich forward winning the European Golden Boot in his first season in Germany and also winning the award at the 2018 World Cup , said: ‘I know what I am capable of.
“I know what I’ve done year after year. There is no reason why I can’t be the top scorer in this tournament.’
Nearly half of Southgate’s squad have never played in an international final and the boss has urged his inexperienced side to thrive under pressure.
Harry Kane (pictured) aims to win the Golden Boot at the 2024 European Championship
Gareth Southgate (pictured) has also urged his young England team to seize the moment
Southgate has urged his inexperienced stars to embrace the pressure of the tournament
“We have a balance of players who have had some really big nights together and others who have a rawness, energy and excitement about their first tournament and both of those things I think add to the group,” Southgate said. who also revealed that Jude Bellingham has joined Kane, Kyle Walker and Declan Rice in his team’s new leadership group.
‘In Russia (2018 World Cup) we were one of the youngest and least experienced teams, so I don’t think it’s essential to have experience everywhere, and we also have plenty of players who have played on the big nights, either with us, or their clubs and can achieve results at those moments.
‘That can help, but innocence is a bonus. So there is an opportunity for people to make a name for themselves, this is a moment for them.”
For all the talk about England’s youthful spirit, Southgate is set to pick a side with plenty of top club and international experience.
Jordan Pickford will start in goal and will be protected by a back four of Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Walker and Guehi, who is expected to take the place of Harry Maguire – who missed the tournament due to injury – at the heart of the English defense.
Southgate’s biggest decision will come in central midfield, where Alexander-Arnold, who plays as a right-back for Liverpool, will be partnered in Rice and Bellingham – who will play in a slightly more advanced role – in the middle of the park. Bukayo Saka is hopeful having entered the week with fitness issues, while Phil Foden and captain Harry Kane are likely to join the Arsenal forward in attack.
Meanwhile, Southgate will make a late decision on whether to include Luke Shaw on the bench for the match following his return to full training.
The Three Lions boss noted there is a lot of experience in his team, coupled with some younger stars (pictured Anthony Gordon, left, John Stones, right)
Southgate will select a squad packed with players who have top-level experience
The England boss provided a positive update on Luke Shaw’s fitness following his return to training
Jude Bellingham (right) was appointed to Southgate’s leadership group, with the England boss explaining that he wanted to ‘ensure the voices of the younger players are heard’
The Manchester United defender, who is undoubtedly England’s preferred option at left-back, has not played since February due to a hamstring injury but was selected by Southgate due to his importance. “We have to make a decision whether he is at a level where he can influence the game from the bench,” Southgate said.
Speaking about the decision to appoint Real Madrid star Bellingham, 20, to his leadership group, Southgate added: ‘I want to make sure the voices of the younger players are heard, so I’m really in touch with that as well.
‘I don’t want to leave here with any peace of mind, I don’t want to have missed anything.
‘I want the opinion of the four boys, but they are also involved in different age groups in the team. They will be able to pick up on what is going on in different parts of the team.’