Harry Redknapp: I couldn’t be more confident despite England’s pre-Euro 2024 defeat to Iceland – it’s done us a favour
THERE are those who say the best shot in the arm is sometimes a kick up the backside — and England certainly took a size nine to theirs last week.
I’m sure a Wembley defeat to Iceland wasn’t how Gareth Southgate hoped to head into the Euros.
But while it seems the glass went from half-full to half-empty for half the nation, mine is still bubbling over . . . I couldn’t be more confident.
Iceland might even have done England a favour with their shock 1-0 victory. It could actually be a blessing in disguise.
All we’ve had in the run-up to the Euros has been: “We’ve got to win, we’ve got to win.”
But now the pressure is off a bit and people realise it’s not that easy.
No one in the England camp ever thought it would be.
Iceland — who didn’t even qualify — simply proved the point.
Suddenly, though, the expectations from the outside have dipped a bit. But inside, believe me, they will be as high as ever.
With good reason, too, as far as I’m concerned, because I look at Gareth’s squad and wouldn’t swap it for any other in Germany.
Why would I?
Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham were all named Player of the Year in three of the toughest leagues in Europe — so that’s not a bad start.
EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice had great seasons. Kyle Walker is the best right-back around. If Luke Shaw is fit — which we hear he should be — there’s no one to touch him on the left.
John Stones has won four titles on the run plus a Champions League, while Cole Palmer would walk into any other side but will probably only make the bench.
So would the likes of Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford — and they didn’t even make Southgate’s 26-man squad. That’s how much talent we’ve got.
I look around and there is honestly nothing that scares me. There’s no side packed with stars like we’ve seen in the past with, say, that great Spanish bunch from a few years back.
Yes, I know France have Kylian Mbappe but Kane’s not too shabby either.
And the French back-up includes Olivier Giroud, who would struggle to even make Gareth’s squad.
If Southgate is positive and has a go, we’ve got the players to scare everyone.
It’s shutting up shop where we aren’t so clever.
With so many brilliant attacking options, let’s have a go.
With so many who can really play, let’s get after them. Don’t go into the opposition too much, don’t think about how we can stop them.
This is us — this is England.
We have got the best players . . . so let’s show everyone what we can do instead.
And although everyone’s on about who to pick alongside Rice, do we really need two defensive midfielders? I’m not so sure.
Manchester City put people in all sorts of weird and wonderful positions because they’re capable on the ball.
Bernardo Silva has played a load of games at left-back.
When I was Tottenham manager I would put Luka Modric alongside Tom Huddlestone.
It’s all about people who are good on the ball, at keeping the ball. They make things happen.
England are awash with them, so let’s have the belief and have a go.
There’s no debate, we have got the team to win this tournament.
But before anyone accuses me of getting ahead of myself, don’t for one minute think I’m saying it will be easy, because there’s no chance of that.
EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT
Serbia won’t be a pushover in tomorrow’s opening game, for a start, any more than Denmark in the next game. Remember, England only edged past the Danes in extra-time of their semi-final at the last Euros.
There might even be the odd hiccup in there.
But if they make heavy weather of the group games, it’s no reason to get on their case.
People look back at the Qatar World Cup and remember Argentina beating France in the final — not losing against Saudi Arabia in their first game.
Portugal won the 2016 Euros after three draws meant they scrambled into the last 16 from third place in their section.
It was hardly the group of death either — against Hungary, Austria and Iceland.
And I have lost count of the tournaments in which Germany have started slowly but then peaked when it matters.
So if it doesn’t all go to plan for England right from the off, just bear that in mind.
It’s not about how you start but how you finish . . . and finishers don’t come any better than Kane.
I’m sure Germany will be tough nuts on home soil, France are always there or thereabouts, and Portugal have got a decent squad.
Those three are the biggest dangers in my book.
But I’m certain of one thing . . . they’ll be a hell of a lot more worried about us than the other way around.
And with good reason, too.
Jack Wilshere's England XI vs Serbia
SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere wants Engand to start with just one holding midfielder - Declan Rice.
That means playing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield roles, with Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka on the wings, either side of Harry Kane up top.
Wilshere said: “In the group stage against teams we should beat, we can afford to be more expansive, let’s attack.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were saying we didn’t have the Spanish-type of players who can dominate the ball, now we have.
“So let’s try to utilise that, dominate the ball and go for goals.”
And the ex-England midfielder wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to get the nod at right-back, with Kyle Walker centre-back.
He added: “If you play Trent at right-back and he drifts in midfield, he can switch the play at speed. Walker’s pace will get you out of trouble.”
Read more from Jack Wilshere during Euro 2024.