MADRID, 16 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
England appears in Qatar 2022 as one of the favorites for the title, with an outstanding squad to give continuity to the last two good international appointments, results before the game but with the ambition of combining both in this World Cup.
Gareth Southgate continues to lead the English team, inventors of football and a tireless factory of talents that accumulated failure after failure until the last World Cup. In Russia 2018, the ‘football’s coming home’ sounded again and the option of adding a second star was real, until the defeat in the semifinals against Croatia.
So close but so far, the truth is that the stick was even greater in the last Euro Cup, where they lost in the final at Wembley on penalties against Italy and despite taking the lead after two minutes. Despite the disgust and the tremendous missed opportunity, again like in 96, to be European champion for the first time and on top of that at home, the return among the best as a success of the national team weighed more.
The debate is that of making the most of the talent and style, rather vague, of an England that has a real arsenal. The slate and new account is there and, in Qatar, the ‘Pross’ have endorsement to be more favorites if possible for the title, starting from a Group B that they share with the United States, Wales and Iran.
The qualification for the World Cup was unblemished, without defeats, but, on the other hand, the last League of Nations was a disaster. The ‘Three Lions’ did not win a single game and, in fact, they lost the category of the best teams. Another indication that the coach may not get the most out of his stars.
BELLINGHAM, THE LAST ENGLISH TALENT
Southgate has world-class players in all its ranks: Jordan Pickford, Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, James Maddison, Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. In midfield is England’s last diamond in the rough: Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund player is growing at an accelerated pace, breaking records for precociousness.
The former Birmingham City midfielder had a testimonial although historical presence at the age of 17 at the EURO, but he goes to Qatar as a star due to his progression. Bellingham is also the player that England was missing, a creator, a game generator for the large number of attackers who are willing to associate and receive balls.
The Dortmund footballer, who already has the greats of Europe on top of him for a millionaire signing, also has a goal, dribbling and personality to be one of the best players in the world. Every weekend there is a Bellingham play that has gone viral on social media. Next to him, Declan Rice is another brain, although his West Ham has not helped him much in recent months.
SOUTHGATE: IF YOU WIN IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW YOU DO IT
Gareth Southgate has been on the bench for the 1966 world champion since 2016. After the Roy Hodgson era and the brief stint of Sam Allardyce, dismissed for a corruption case, the former player, the one who missed the penalty in the ‘semis’ European of 96, he took charge of the Absolute in an interim manner in the first instance. By then, Southgate was the Under-21 coach.
Six years later, his greatest experience as a coach is being this and, although he has his detractors, he also has great support because he managed to excite players and fans again. Southgate ended the disappointments in the big events and, if it is true that defeats are learned, he may have the inventors of football in a position to complete his revolution.
DATASHEET.
–Participations in World Cups: 16 (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022).
–Titles: 1 (1966).
–Best result: Champion (1966).
–How it was classified: First of Group I of the European zone.
–First phase calendar:
11/21 2:00 p.m. Doha England-Iran.
25/11 20.00 Al Khor England-United States.
29/11 20.00 Al Rayyan Wales-England.