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German World Cup winner says England can win Euro 2024 – but outlines where Harry Kane and the team must improve

talksport.com 2024/10/6

England have been backed to finally end their trophy drought to win a first title in 58 years at Euro 2024.

That is the view of 2014 World Cup winner Per Mertesacker, who has praised the Three Lions for their resilience - despite their drab displays so far.

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England have reached back-to-back semi-finals at the Euros for the first time
England have reached back-to-back semi-finals at the Euros for the first time

The Three Lions have yet to click at the European Championship, but have advanced through to the last four, where they will face the Netherlands on Wednesday night - live on talkSPORT.

Dramatic equalisers in the knockout matches against Slovakia and Switzerland have ensured England have reached back-to-back semi-finals in the Euros for the first time in their history.

And despite fans remaining sceptical of England's chances, Arsenal cult hero Mertesacker has tipped England to go all the way.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Gunners academy manager was asked whether Gareth Southgate's men can triumph in Germany, to which he said: "Yeah, they understand big moments.

"It seems to be that everyone around [England] seems a bit worried about the style of play, but they have understood big moments so far.

"And whether that's one-and-a-half-minutes before the final whistle, Jude Bellingham delivers a moment of greatness [overhead kick equaliser vs Slovakia in last 16].

"As did Bukayo Saka delivering a moment of world class [equaliser against Switzerland], you are capable of big moments.

"I hope that the last game against Switzerland really showed [in] the first half of trying to press a bit more strategically from the front, winning balls back.

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World Cup winner Mertesacker believes the Three Lions can go all the way in Germany
World Cup winner Mertesacker believes the Three Lions can go all the way in Germany

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The ex-Arsenal defender has stressed that Kane must lead the press for England to stand a chance of glory
The ex-Arsenal defender has stressed that Kane must lead the press for England to stand a chance of glory

"You haven't created much, but you have delivered in big moments, you should be really aware [of that] and not be too concerned about the playing style."

Mertesacker then revealed how England can improve against Holland - by getting skipper Harry Kane to lead the press with his teammates following suit.

Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Hara lose their minds as react to Trent Alexander-Arnold's winning penalty against Switzerland

As for Kane, Mertesacker believes that he should be the one starting the press, as he remarked: "What you have been lacking is the pressing and doing it together.

"It felt like [before Switzerland game] everyone was doing their own stuff, especially how you want to win the ball back.

"So I think a bit of co-ordination [will help], but the last game there was co-ordination and Kane, Bellingham, Phil Foden were leading the side pressing, backed up by high wing-backs in Bukayo and Kieran Trippier.

"Plus one central midfielder, either it was Declan [Rice] or Kobbie [Mainoo] - you've shown progress and improvement, so you can't underestimate the small margins that you're improving right now.

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"So I'm thinking, 'Could you go all the way?' Of course. And going back three years after you lost the [Euro 2020] final, you can go all the way again because of the experiences these players have made.

"From this tournament and from the last, it seems to be a tight-knit unit which no one can get into.

"The trust of Gareth Southgate in his players to deliver in big moments, that's been really impressive for me."

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