20 June 2023 , 13:46
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Gabby Agbonlahor claims England boss Gareth Southgate "needs arresting for crimes against football" if the Three Lions don't achieve glory at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions have begun their qualification for the tournament in Germany in impressive fashion, smashing seven past North Macedonia on Monday night in a relentless display. England have won all four games, scoring 15 times in the process as they build nicely towards the Euros.
In the last Euros, played largely on home soil, England made the final, only to lose on penalties to Italy at Wembley. Southgate has found himself in charge of a talented young group and has led them to the latter stages of tournaments, but not yet picked up the trophy.
With the likes of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden at England's disposal there is a growing expectation expectation that they can win their first major tournament since 1966. Southgate is due to have a fourth bite of the cherry and Agbonlahor insists there are no excuses.
He told TalkSport: "We learned a lot through that process but I think our performances at the World Cup and particularly since the World Cup have been outstanding. There's a definite sweet spot in terms of the hunger that the team has, they've not got to where they want to yet, but also a confidence from the experiences that they're having and the levels of the games that they've had."
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England were knocked out of the World Cup by France in December but have since seen off the likes of Italy and the Ukraine who are in their qualifying group. Southgate has found those whom he can rely on, but also has plenty of depth with quality players battling for starting berths.
Gareth Southgate has led England to four wins from four in qualifyingThe Three Lions began with Saka, Kane and Rashford in attack which left the likes of Jack Grealish and Foden on the bench whilst Raheem Sterling will also come back into the picture. Trent Alexander-Arnold is now a midfield option whilst Jude Bellingham wasn't even involved recently, highlighting the strength of squad.
Agbonlahor added: "There are other teams that are at a very high level and there are going to be some bumps on the way to doing that. You've got to respond and adapt to everything. There are good signs, we've got competition for places which is key because you need that.
"People won't always be available so you need people who are ready to step in and carry the baton and it provokes more out of each individual when there's someone sitting in the stand that's desperate to get on. There are a lot of healthy signs but we also know that there will be harder nights than tonight."