Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are two of England’s best players. — AFP/VNA Photo
Paul Kennedy
It’s coming home, it’s coming home, it’s coming. Football’s coming home.
Right about now in England this is all you will be hearing. And I am glad I’m 10,000 kilometres away in Việt Nam.
I’m sorry for my obvious apathy towards the England football team but regular readers will not be shocked.
I’ve never really been a fan of my international team. Great if they win, not lose a wink of sleep if (or rather, when) they don’t.
Right now expectations in England will be at fever pitch. Homes will be adorned with the flag of St. George, faces will be painted to match and restaurants and bars will be serving up specials loosely named after players (any one for a plate of Declan ‘sticky’ Rice served with a glass of Harry ‘sugar’ Kane?)
England are favourites to win the tournament.
And while I think they stand a good chance of getting to at least the semi-final stage, I’m not so sure they will go all the way.
It’s in Germany remember, so the host nation must have a very good chance of lifting the trophy, and France too have to be in with a shout.
Further down the pecking order I wouldn’t rule out a good run by Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is no spring chicken at 39, but I think it’s fair to assume this will probably be his last major international tournament and he’ll want to go out with a bang.
I’m surprised Italy are considered not in the top five to win it, they are after all current holders of the trophy, and behind them according to the latest better odds is Holland, another great team who can really produce on their day.
As for an outsider lifting the cup on July 15? Sorry, I just can’t see it myself.
Scotland? They are clearly a good group of players, very together, and I fancy them to maybe get to the knockout rounds, but nothing more.
So back to England.
In 2020, they lost at the death in a penalty shoot-out against Italy in the final.
I get that this time around the players are certainly a lot wiser, and Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are well and truly considered European elite.
But at the back, I think they will struggle.
To win it, they are going to all have to be at their absolute best, and hope for a little luck along the way.
Is football coming home? Sorry, I just don’t think so. — VNS
OVietnam