June 7th 2024.
Harry Kane has been selected to lead England's team in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. As the bookies' favorites, England is feeling confident going into the competition, according to Micah Richards. The last time England participated in a major tournament, they suffered a heartbreaking loss on penalties to Italy at Wembley, followed by a narrow quarter-final defeat against France in the Qatar World Cup. With his contract set to expire in December, this could potentially be Gareth Southgate's final tournament as coach, and he is determined to make history by leading England to their first men's major tournament victory in 58 years.
In an interview with The Agency, Richards shares his thoughts on England's chances at the Euros and his high hopes for Southgate's team. When asked about his expectations for the tournament, Richards confidently states that England has the potential to win it all. He points to the quality of the team's starting lineup, which includes top players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Bukayo Saka. Richards believes that England should not fear any other team, as they have proven themselves to be a formidable force with players who are at the top of their game and have experience playing in high-stakes matches.
Richards also discusses Southgate's bold decision to omit Marcus Rashford from the initial training squad. While he would have personally included Rashford in the 26-man squad, Richards understands Southgate's reasoning and acknowledges that the player has not been performing at his best. He believes that Southgate's willingness to make tough decisions will be crucial for England's success in the tournament.
When asked about his predictions for England's starting lineup in their first game against Serbia, Richards believes that most of the team will pick themselves. He specifically mentions John Stones and Harry Maguire as the ideal center-back partnership, as long as they are fully fit. In midfield, he suggests Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham as the perfect combination, with Phil Foden playing ahead of them. Richards praises Bellingham for his work ethic and likens him to players at top clubs like Real Madrid who do a lot of running for the team.
As for the No.10 position, Richards believes it is crucial for Phil Foden to start in that role. He notes that even Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, changed his tactics to accommodate Foden in that position, ahead of established players like Kevin De Bruyne. Richards also suggests playing Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon on the left side, as he believes they bring balance to the team.
Richards also shares his thoughts on a young German player, Florian Wirtz, who he believes could be a real threat for Germany in the tournament. He also mentions Jamal Musiala as another talented player to watch out for on the German team. Richards believes that Germany, with its home-crowd advantage, could be a problem for any team on their day.
In response to whether Southgate could potentially take over as manager for Manchester United after the Euros, Richards admits it is difficult to predict how he would fare at a club level. He acknowledges that international football is very different from club football, and managing a team like Manchester United comes with constant scrutiny and high demands. However, Richards also notes that Southgate has a track record of successfully bringing young players through, which could be appealing to a club like Manchester United. Ultimately, Richards believes that Southgate's decision to take on such a challenge would depend on how England performs in the Euros and whether he feels ready for the next step in his career. Regardless, Richards believes that a win for England at the Euros would solidify Southgate's legacy and potentially open up new opportunities for him in the future.
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