Expats living in Spain will no doubt have experienced that sinking feeling of seeing England fall short at big tournaments, knowing that the locals can still bask in the recent glories of two European Champions titles and one World Cup win.
But this year, the tectonic plates of football seem to have shifted, and England looks set to enter a major championship as the favorite to win. The English are +333 to win Euro 2024. Furthermore, the Spanish are only regarded as the fourth favorite (+700). So what has caused this shift towards England in the betting?
Strength of the Premier League
One of the key reasons why England is regarded as having one of the best teams in Europe and the world is the strength of their domestic Premier League. Manchester City lead the way. They are the favorite to win the UEFA Champions League for a second successive season at +175.
And even though they aren’t leading the Premier League, they are the +110 favorites in the latest EPL winner odds to win their domestic title for a fourth successive season. Liverpool are pushing City hard this season. The Reds are +200, with Arsenal making it a three-horse race at +275.
City are regarded as the best club side in the world. They are the current UCL holders. So it stands to reason that if they have plenty of English players in their lineup, England must be strong as well. They have several experienced players who represent England such as Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Jack Grealish.
That experience is vital. They are used to winning top trophies and they can bring this know-how to England at the UEFA Euros this summer.
Red hot Harry Kane
England have a lot of exciting young talent coming through the ranks, but arguably their most valuable asset is Harry Kane.
The striker is now 30 years of age and is in the prime of his career. Despite his Bayern Munich team struggling domestically, Kane seems to be breaking new records every other week. Most recently he set a new record by becoming the first man to score four hat-tricks in a debut Bundesliga season. This came in his team’s 8-1 win over Mainz.
Kane was always going to score goals in Germany. But anybody who thinks it is just easy pickings needs to look at the table, where Bayern are a distant second behind Bayer Leverkusen. The Bavarian giants haven’t had it easy this season. But that hasn’t slowed Kane down.
We have reached agreement with Bayern Munich for the transfer of Harry Kane.
Thank you for your incredible contribution to our Club over the years, Harry 🤍
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 12, 2023
He now looks a far better all-around player since his move to Germany. And if he needed to prove to himself that he can thrive outside of Spurs, he has most certainly achieved that.
Strong team spine
Not only does England have a world-class striker in Harry Kane, but they also have a strong spine running through the team.
Jordan Pickford’s England career:
🏴 28 clean sheets in 58 appearances
🏴 Longest time without conceding a goal (726 mins)
🏴 2nd-most clean sheets in WC and Euros (9)
🏴 Only GK to save 2 penalties in a penalty shootout
🏴 0 errors leading to goals in 52 competitive games#EFC— EFC Statto (@EFC_Statto) March 20, 2024
In goal, there is Jordan Pickford. The Everton keeper has been a regular starter under Gareth Southgate and has rarely let him down. In the center of defence, there is Harry Maguire and John Stones.
In midfield, Declan Rice has come of age since his move to Arsenal. The 25-year-old has now taken over from Jordan Henderson as England’s midfield anchor. And of course, up front is Harry Kane.
All these players are also leaders. Successful teams have more than one leader and captain. England now has this in abundance. Making glory in this summer’s UEFA Euro 2024 a great possibility.
