Jack Grealish: England Is One Of The Favorites Of Euro 2024

Jack Grealish believes England are one of the favorites in Euro 2024 (photo: twitter @JackGrealish)

JAKARTA -  Jack Grealish stated that the talent possessed by the England National Team makes them one of the favorites for Euro 2024 in Germany next year.

Since taking over as national team manager in 2016 from Sam Allardyce, Gareth Southgate has introduced a wealth of new talent. However, they have not succeeded in ending the Three Lions' long wait to win the men's team's second international trophy.

They were knocked out in the semifinals and quarter-finals of the World Cup before and after reaching the Euro 2020 final where they lost on penalties to Italy. However, Manchester City winger Grealish revealed that the squad believes they have the ability to achieve success at next year's tournament.

"We feel now is the perfect time to achieve success together. You look at the talent we have - Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, [Bukayo] Saka, [Phil] Foden, [Marcus] Rashford, Declan Rice, all these players, it's incredible "normal. Likewise with the defenders. Kyle Walker, how old are you now; 33? I said to him recently, 'Dude, I think this is the best I've ever seen you," said Grealish as quoted by The Times.

"This is one of those tournaments that we are really looking forward to trying to win. Imagine how amazing that would be for our country? We feel like this is the time. We definitely have confidence and belief in ourselves now," he added.

England's efforts in previous tournaments have been plagued by a lack of cohesion within the squad - the 'golden generation' of 2006 is one example - but Grealish pointed to his side's defeat to Arsenal as a reason for optimism in that regard.

"We lost to Arsenal, and I'm the person who can't stand losing, the next day I came here and was with Declan Rice, he's one of my best friends. That's the beauty of it. In the past, I heard some of them (like Rio Ferdinand) said that they have a very talented squad, but I don't know if they really know each other. When we came here, we really got along," he said.

"In the past, I don't know if people faked injuries, but people here, when they are injured, they want to come here to meet their teammates rather than stay at their club. Last month I was injured and came met the players, stayed overnight. Saka did too. Luke Shaw too. It was amazing," he said.

England still need to confirm their place in Germany next year. They can do that by beating Italy on the evening of Tuesday 17 October at Wembley Stadium.