Slaven Bilic believes England’s wealth of attacking options makes the Three Lions one of the leading contenders to win Euro 2024 this summer.
The former Croatia and West Ham manager believes Gareth Southgate’s side should be considered among the favourites to win the tournament in Germany.
Bilic said England were in a ‘very positive’ position following impressive performances at recent international tournaments, including reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.
He admitted England could need a bit of ‘luck’ as the men’s national team bid to end their wait for a trophy, stretching back to the 1966 World Cup.
Speaking to Sofascore, Bilic highlighted the vast array of attacking options at Southgate’s disposal as one of the reasons why England can triumph this summer.
Slaven Bilic believes England’s goalscoring potential makes them Euro 2024 contenders
England boss Gareth Southgate possesses a wealth of forward options ahead of the Euros
Bilic warned the expectation on England could make or break their Euro 2024 campaign
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‘They need a little bit of luck, they have the players, those who have been there and have the experience, as well as a new wave of players with Bellingham,’ Bilic said.
‘They have a few players who are leading goalscorers in different leagues, they have Harry Kane in Germany, at that time Bellingham in Spain.
‘Apart from [Erling Haaland] in the Premier League they have [Phil] Foden, [Cole] Palmer, [Bukayo] Saka and Ollie Watkins.
‘They have six or seven goalscorers in great form this season, that gives them a big hope.’
Bilic, however, warned that England face the challenge of managing expectations heading into the tournament as one of the contenders.
He suggested the Three Lions could either ride the wave of the expectation or potentially be left broken by the pressure.
‘There is big expectation and massive pressure from the media, but that can be a massive advantage and a wind in your back if things are going well.
‘You can also break with that kind of pressure.’
Bilic said England have six or seven goalscorers heading into the tournament in Germany
Bilic managed Croatia from 2006 to 2012, leading his nation at two European Championships
He compared Croatia to Real Madrid, citing their know how to win big matches at tournaments
England will face Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in the group stage, as Southgate’s men bid to go one step further than Euro 2020 when they were beaten by Italy on penalties in the final.
Bilic, who coached Croatia between 2006 and 2012, believes his nation could also be set for another run in Germany.
He compared the national team to Real Madrid due to their know how in winning knock-out matches, citing their experience of finishing as runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and the semi-finals four years later.
‘Our players know how to play tournaments and that is something you cannot buy. Croatia in the last couple of tournaments remind me of Real Madrid, not in terms of how we play,’ Bilic said.
‘Croatia know how to win games. There is no panic, we have that stability no matter what happens during the game.’
