England's dream midfield: Why Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden & Declan Rice must be unleashed at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate can finally deliver silverware if he deploys the world-class trio in Germany next year
England are back at the top table of international football. Gareth Southgate didn't just pick up the pieces following a devastating Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland, he made a whole country start believing again.
The limitless promise of the squad was clear after they secured a semi-final berth at the 2018 World Cup, which was followed up by a scintillating run to the European Championship final three years later. England ultimately failed to bring home silverware for the first time since 1996 as Italy won a gruelling contest at Wembley on penalties, but it was far from the end of the road.
Southgate's men breezed through to the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar last year, and really should have gone further. France emerged with a 2-1 victory as England were made to pay for missed chances after dominating the majority of the game.
It was arguably the best overall team performance of Southgate's reign to date given the calibre of the opposition. The Three Lions have come a long way in a short period of time and there is no doubting the quality in their ranks, but Euro 2024 will only be about one thing: winning.
And if England are to finally lift a major trophy in Germany next summer, Southgate must play his strongest possible side. That means Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden lining up in a midfield three throughout the tournament.
Recent history proves that a conservative approach won't take England to the promised land. It's time for Southgate to put 100 percent faith in his best players and finally unlock the team's full potential.
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