Former Spain and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is convinced that France are the overwhelming favourites to win this summer’s European Championship, Soccernet.football reports.
Pique, however, concedes that England also have a strong chance of winning Euro 2024, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham playing a key role.
France have arguably the strongest squad on the continent led by veteran coach Didier Deschamps and star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Les Bleus have enjoyed incredible success in recent years, winning the World Cup in 2018 and the UEFA Nations League in 2021 before finishing as runners up at the last Mundial in Qatar. The French have, however, not lifted the UEFA European Championship since 2000, and look poised to correct that anomaly this summer.
One of their biggest challengers would be England’s Three Lions.
England, a regular contender, have never won the European Championship. Their best performance came in 2020 when they finished as runners-up.
Pique, who won the European Championship with Spain in 2012, thinks Euro 2024 is France’s to lose but acknowledge that England have the quality to shine.
Pique thinks England can compete with the best teams in Europe, citing Bellingham as a crucial player. “I would say so, yeah,” he told talkSPORT. “He’s a great player. He’s had a fantastic season at Real Madrid and has incredible potential. He’s very young but already very experienced, so he can do very well.”
Bellingham, an essential part of Gareth Southgate’s England team, made 41 appearances for Real Madrid in his first season, contributing to 35 goals. He has already won a LaLiga medal and could win the Champions League this weekend.
England’s squad also includes stars like Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who was the Premier League golden boot runner-up with 22 goals. Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka are also expected to lead England’s campaign.
When asked if England could win the tournament, Pique said, “Why not! I think France might be the favourites this year, but England are up there!”
In the last European Championship, England lost to Italy 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final.
Pique, however, concedes that England also have a strong chance of winning Euro 2024, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham playing a key role.
France have arguably the strongest squad on the continent led by veteran coach Didier Deschamps and star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Les Bleus have enjoyed incredible success in recent years, winning the World Cup in 2018 and the UEFA Nations League in 2021 before finishing as runners up at the last Mundial in Qatar. The French have, however, not lifted the UEFA European Championship since 2000, and look poised to correct that anomaly this summer.
One of their biggest challengers would be England’s Three Lions.
England, a regular contender, have never won the European Championship. Their best performance came in 2020 when they finished as runners-up.
Pique, who won the European Championship with Spain in 2012, thinks Euro 2024 is France’s to lose but acknowledge that England have the quality to shine.
Pique thinks England can compete with the best teams in Europe, citing Bellingham as a crucial player. “I would say so, yeah,” he told talkSPORT. “He’s a great player. He’s had a fantastic season at Real Madrid and has incredible potential. He’s very young but already very experienced, so he can do very well.”
Bellingham, an essential part of Gareth Southgate’s England team, made 41 appearances for Real Madrid in his first season, contributing to 35 goals. He has already won a LaLiga medal and could win the Champions League this weekend.
England’s squad also includes stars like Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who was the Premier League golden boot runner-up with 22 goals. Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka are also expected to lead England’s campaign.
When asked if England could win the tournament, Pique said, “Why not! I think France might be the favourites this year, but England are up there!”
In the last European Championship, England lost to Italy 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final.
Source:
TalkSport
