Tactical Insights: How England Can Dominate Their Euro 2024 Group Stage

England is once again among the favourites to win the UEFA Euro, just like the previous edition of the tournament. It has an amazing squad depth with incredible players that are playing regular club football. But, having too many good players gives the manager some other problems.

He might struggle to pick the right tactics to suit all players. Also, he can have trouble picking the first eleven as many players deserve to start the Euro matches. In this article, we'll discuss how the English national football team could dominate the Euro 2024 group stage.

England’s Euro 2024 Group

The English national team will face Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in the Group C of the Euro 2024. At first, this seems like an easy group for the Three Lions, but no one should underestimate the other national teams.

During the qualification process, Denmark finished on top of its group but with the same number of points as Slovenia. Now, they will once play against each other in the Euro 2024 group stage.

Both national teams were very good during the qualification matches, but they did face somewhat weaker opponents. Serbia on the other hand, finished second in its qualification group, 4 points behind Hungary. This national team has a lot of strength, but it often fails to show it on the big stage.

As we all know, England was incredible in its Euro qualification matches. It managed to win twice against the previous Euro champions, Italy, which is a good sign.

Many Euro 2024 bookmakers with free bets are picking England as the favourite to win this tournament. Football will come home only if England continues its good form that we saw in the qualification matches.

The English Players That Will Go to the Euro 2024

For England to dominate the Euro 2024 group stage, it must call up the right players. This of course includes those that have proven their worth in the national team as well as those that are in good form. But, most importantly, Gareth Southgate must include those players that best suit his tactical ideas.

The manager will need to pick 23 players at least 7 days before the start of the tournament. It seems like Jordan Pickford will once again be the starting goalkeeper. His backups will most certainly be Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone.

England’s back line will consist of Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Ben Chilwell. The other defenders that might go to the Euro are Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Rico Lewis, and some others.

The midfield is possibly the strongest area in this England generation. Southgate will surely call up Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Connor Gallagher. Other midfielders who could play for England are Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, James Maddison, and Kalvin Phillips.

Now, the attack will surely lead the captain Harry Kane alongside Phil Foden. The third player in the attack could be Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, or Bukayo Saka. Other attacking players that can get a call-up are Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins, and Jarrod Bowen.

How Could England Line up for the Euro 2024 Group Stage?

Gareth Southgate usually plays with either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. He tends to rotate between both of them, based on the players he has and the playing style of the opposite team.

Now, the 4-2-3-1 formation is super offensive, which cannot work against strong national teams. For instance, Southgate used this formation during the friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium and lost both. It also got only a draw against North Macedonia in the last qualification match.

The 4-3-3 formation proved super effective in the past. It gives a more secure approach and lets the team hold on to the ball much more effectively. Pickford will most certainly be the first goalkeeping choice.

In the defence, Southgate might start with Maguire Stones, Walker, and Chillwell. With this formation, Bellingham would play as a left-centre midfielder, next to Rice in the middle. The other midfielder could be Gallagher, but several good players can compete for this spot.

Foden would also be close to Belligham if he plays on the left wing. Saka might find his way into the starting eleven as a right winger. Then there is Kane up front, who often drops deep to help build an attack.

By the looks of it, it seems like England would focus on attacking from the left if Southgate selects the players that we mentioned. This would be the strongest left side in the Euro 2024.

We must not forget the other players who can play on the right wings, as well as the fullbacks. All of them are fast and capable of dribbling and providing good crosses.