England Q&A: Maguire, Bellingham, Watkins & key questions facing Southgate
England secured top seeding at Euro 2024 as they rounded off their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia.
But will Gareth Southgate's side live up to their billing as tournament favourites? And what are the problems that still need to be addressed ahead of next summer?
Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett gives his verdict on some of the key questions following England's laboured performances against Malta and North Macedonia.
Before this international break, I might have said yes. But I still think England are some distance shy of France in terms of what they have got as a squad.
If you take it area by area, then England are as good as anyone in Europe and possibly in the world with Harry Kane and all of their wide attacking options.
Jude Bellingham adds the X-factor in midfield and England's other options in that area of the pitch is probably as good as any side they will come across at the Euros with Declan Rice in there as well.
The third midfield player is the conundrum for Southgate. He has an unanswered question there. But the real concern for me, and for the last couple of tournaments, is England defensively.
We talk about players not playing but it was pertinent when Southgate mentioned that when he picks the squad for the Euros, he's got to pick players on the basis of robustness as well as ability.
That was a direct reference to some of the full-backs he has been lacking because Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell have really not been available to England very much. Reece James, likewise.
Southgate has some real concerns about the football he has missed and has made it clear he is not going to gamble on these players in his squad if he has a fear they might break down again.
At the last World Cup, it
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