Roy Hodgson has picked up a provisional 26 squad for the UEFA Euro’s 2016 for France. England have a dubious record of never being able to win at the Euros, their best performance yet was a 3rd place finish 20 years ago at home 1996 edition. Since then it has been a tough ride and in fact they failed to make it to the final tournament in 2008 and managed to reach the quarter finals last year. However this edition the Three Lions are a different team with exciting new talent bursting into the scene with the problem of plenty for the management to pick. A SWOT analysis of the team throws light on the team chances.
Strength:
The English squad is in red hot form. After terrific performances in the EPL the team boasts of a potent strike force.
Two of the top goal scorers in the Premier League Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane feature in the squad, add to that they are complimented by the England and Manchester United Caption Wayne Rooney who is the country’s top scorer and puts on table vast years of experience as well as ability to play at different positions.
If this was less they have in Marcus Rashford and Daniel Sturridge two superfast young players who can run in at any opponent’s defense. It promises to be a goal fest for England this year.
Weakness:
Its real hard to find weakness in this English Squad. A possible weakness is limited options in the Center Back Positions. Hodgson has picked only 3 proper Center backs. Among them the form of Gary Cahill and John Stones can be some sort of a worry leaving only Chris Smalling as the reliable option.
The problem of plenty can also be an issue, with so many in-form players, there could be difficulty in making the team gel together as well in the selection process.
Big names are good but at times it back fires. And given that the length of the tournament is not big there will be no time for experimentation.
Opportunity:
England has an elusive opportunity to put an end to the past woes in big competitions. This could finally be their year.
They have a good team and a comparatively easy group with Wales and Slovakia having secured first time qualification with Russia being the only possible worthy opponent.
It should be an easy journey for England to the knockout phases.
Threat:
England have always failed to live up to their potential. They have failed at times and at others have been touch unlucky. Also Players could be victims of over burn as most of the squad has been playing over the past year without a break. A young team could at times back fire but England have failed with an experienced team too so it’s a risk worth taking. How will England fare will it be able to break the shackles August will finally have an answer.