- Current England squad praised by fans
- Claims raised it could be best Three Lions team
- Ince slams Southgate’s ‘not great’ players
WHAT HAPPENED?
Heading into Euro 2024 in Germany, Gareth Southgate’s England side have been considered one of the favourites to go all the way and win the title, which would be their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Claims have also been made that the current Three Lions squad is the best it has ever been. However, Ince believes that the same is not true and claims that while England may win the title, it will also be because the quality of international football has fallen.
WHAT INCE SAID
Speaking to Bet365, the former England captain said: “This England team, they’re not great players. Yes, they’re young and exciting with a little bit of experience, but to say that this is the best squad that England have ever had is absolutely ridiculous.
“I think there’s people looking at recent tournaments at the squad that got beaten by Italy and got to the semi-finals in 2018, we feel that this is probably a very good squad.
“But you’ve got to understand the level of players that we were playing against in ’96 to the level that players are now. It’s changed a lot. The level’s not as high as it was back in our time. Even if you look at someone like Gheorghe Hagi, who played for Romania, there were so many world-class players and I don’t think you get that level with international teams now.
“Look at Italy with Nicolo Barella, then look back to Paulo Rossi and Marco Tardelli, these are the types of players we were playing against in international football. The level of international football for me has dropped which means that England have got a very good chance. They’ve got a very good squad, but to say it’s the best squad of all time is totally ridiculous.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Southgate’s squad does indeed have a lot of talented names in its ranks with Harry Kane leading the Three Lions into the tournament. He will be joined by the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold among others. While the squad may not be happy to hear negative words from their own compatriots, they will hope to trudge on and prove their doubters wrong.
WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
The Three Lions will begin their campaign with a clash against Serbia on June 16 at Arena AufSchalke before taking on Denmark and Slovenia in the next 10 days.
