Thanks to two players, England legend Alan Shearer is optimistic about the nation’s chances of winning Euro 2024.
Despite an unimpressive Euro 2024 group stage, Alan Shearer feels that Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon are giving him “hope” as an England supporter. In their three Group C matches against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia, the Three Lions managed just one victory with a meager two goals scored.
And Shearer, who expressed specific dissatisfaction with the draw with Denmark, said in a BBC Sport column: “Even though we haven’t lost, we’ve only given up one goal and managed to win our group to advance to the round of 16—the manner we’ve done it has been utterly uninspired.”
“We did not give any of the teams we faced much to worry about, even though we had the dream draw and scored two goals in three games against really bad opposition.”
Following Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia, Gareth Southgate was heckled and the target of plastic cups as he made his way around the pitch in Cologne. For the remainder of the competition in Germany, though, former England captain Shearer remains optimistic.
He believes that Gordon, a winger for Newcastle, and Palmer, a playmaker for Chelsea, who combined for 33 goals and 21 assists in the Premier League last season, can add some much-needed attacking flair.
Gordon has barely played one minute in the Euros thus far, and Palmer has only been given 19 minutes after both players were substituted off against the Slovenians. Shearer, who has 63 caps and 30 goals for England, is eager to see more of the pair.
“It is difficult to judge players properly when they come on late in a game,” Shearer said. “But against Slovenia, Cole Palmer did well, and we looked more dangerous.”
Gordon got a few runs down the left as well, and in the last five minutes of the game—as well as the entire three games—we most likely appeared more dangerous down that flank with him on the field.
Palmer and Gordon may have the key to bringing the enthusiasm and flare that we have been sorely lacking. There hasn’t been much else to be enthusiastic about, so that’s what gives me the greatest optimism.
“Southgate now has a lot on his plate, and he must make some important decisions,” said Palmer and Gordon.
“The side of the draw we are currently on is one small plus from our competition; escaping Spain, France, Portugal, and Germany has done us a great favor. However, I don’t think we can enter any game right now with a sense of victory.
“Normally, I would say that this is where our tournament begins, but I’m not really sure what to expect on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen, regardless of who we end up playing.”
Although the opponent for England in the round of 16 is still unknown, it is anticipated to be either the Netherlands or the third-place team from Group E, which is made up of Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine, all of which have three points.
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