Ex-England striker Ian Wright has outlined the current crop’s minimum requirement at this summer’s European Championship as they look to end the men’s 58-year wait for silverware.
The Three Lions are yet to mirror the heroes of the 1966 World Cup triumph, coming closest three years ago as finalists at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
Fast-forward to now and Gareth Southgate’s side are among the favourites to win the tournament – having been World Cup semi-finalists (2018), Nations League semi-finalists (2019), Euros finalists (2021) and World Cup quarter-finalists (2022) under his watch.
Wright is optimistic about England’s chances but believes there is one area they need to rectify if they are to go all the way in Germany.
The 60-year-old – who scored nine goals in 33 caps for England between 1991-98 – said at the one-year anniversary of EA Sports’ FC FUTURES initiative at Stamford Bridge: ‘I’d love football to come home. We have a great team but if I’m being totally honest you have to look at France as one of the favourites, but we are in there too.
Ian Wright has made his prediction about England’s tournament chances at Euro 2024
England boss Gareth Southgate will hope to go one better than their Euro 2020 finalists finish
Wright, who scored nine goals in 33 England caps, spoke at an EA Sports’ FC FUTURES event
‘What you’ve got to understand is when you go to a tournament it’s not about playing unbelievable and scintillating football, it’s about getting to the next game and the next phase.
‘What you want is experienced players who have been in that situation, who know how to play tournament football – and we do now, we’ve been to finals and semi-finals in big tournaments so there is no real excuse for us.
‘Obviously our defence is something he’s going to have to sort out. There’s no excuse for us though to not go into that tournament and feel like one of the favourites.
‘When we’re looking at how some of our players are performing – Harry Kane, amazing, top scorer in Germany, Jude Bellingham in Spain, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer we are seeing unbelievable football from.
‘So yeah I am very much always going for England, especially with the last few tournaments as semi-finalists, at least with what we’ve got so I’m not gonna back off from that – it’s not just that I want England to do it, our team is good enough.’
Wright was speaking at the celebration of the EA Sports FC FUTURES initiative – which has opened up grassroots football to over 170,000 people over the course of its first year and – in a further demonstration of their commitment to growing the game for all – unveiled a new comprehensive programme, Namibia Futures, in partnership with UNICEF.
This multi-year partnership will use the power of football to create long-lasting social change in Namibia and beyond. With an initial investment of £1.2 million, the programme will support over 46,000 young people through football and games-based training to achieve their potential both on and off the pitch.
During the celebration, Wright was presented with the inaugural FC FUTURES Hero Award to to recognise his outstanding work in inspiring the world to love football, alongside a charitable donation to a grassroots football cause.
‘It’s an honour to be the recipient of the first FC FUTURES Hero Award and I take great pride in seeing the strides the initiative has made around the world in the past year,’ the FC FUTURES ambassador said.
Backing England to reach the semis at least, Wright warned that they must sort their defence
However, the 60-year-old hailed their attacking options including Jude Bellingham (centre)
Wright was presented with the inaugural FC FUTURES Hero Award to to recognise his outstanding work in inspiring the world to love football
The EA Sports FC FUTURES initiative has opened up grassroots football to over 170,000 people over the course of its first year
‘To know that the first-ever pitch that came from this initiative is in my old community, at my old primary school, is a really special legacy for me and Rocky [David Rocastle].
‘The Rocky & Wrighty Arena at Turnham Academy wouldn’t have happened without FC FUTURES, and it’s amazing to see the positive impact our pitch is having on young people in the community.’
Ian Wright was speaking at the one year anniversary of EA Sports’ FC FUTURES initiative. EA have teamed up with UNICEF and Soccer Aid to invest in grassroots football and grow the game for all.