The European Championship is one of the biggest events in international football, and for England, it represents a chance to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. While the entire squad will need to be at their best to succeed, the focus for this article will be on England's defence, and in particular, the players who will be tasked with keeping the opposition at bay.
The heart of England's defence will be the centre-back pairing. This is an area where England has some of the best players in the world, with the likes of Harry Maguire, John Stones, and Tyrone Mings all vying for a starting spot. Maguire has been a key player for England in recent years, providing leadership and stability at the back, while Stones has enjoyed a renaissance this season, becoming a key part of the Manchester City defence. Mings, meanwhile, has been a consistent performer for Aston Villa, earning himself a call-up to the national team.
The challenge for Gareth Southgate will be to decide on his best pairing. Maguire is a near-certainty to start if fit, but deciding on his partner will be a tough call. Stones has been in excellent form, but Mings has also impressed in recent games and provides a physical presence that could be useful against some of the tournament's bigger teams. Either way, England's centre-backs will need to be at their best if they are to keep the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe quiet.
While the centre-backs will be crucial, England's full-backs will also play a key role in the team's defensive efforts. The likes of Kyle Walker, Reece James, and Kieran Trippier will be expected to provide width going forward, but they must also be disciplined and focused defensively.
Walker is arguably England's first-choice right-back, offering blistering pace and superb defensive skills. James, meanwhile, has enjoyed an excellent season for Chelsea, excelling at both ends of the pitch. Trippier, who has been playing in Spain with Atletico Madrid, has also been in good form and provides experience and quality in a slightly different style.
In recent games, Southgate has experimented with playing James on the right, and the Chelsea man has impressed with his energy and crossing ability. However, Walker's experience and pace could see him being favoured in the tournament's knockout stages.
On the left-hand side, Southgate has a good problem to contend with. Two of England's best performers this season have been Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, both of whom have been outstanding for their clubs. Shaw has been a key part of Manchester United's strong defence this season, while Chilwell has impressed since his move to Chelsea.
It remains to be seen who Southgate will choose to start, but whoever gets the nod will need to be at the top of their game to keep out the likes of Bernardo Silva and Lorenzo Insigne.
While England's defence boasts plenty of quality, ultimately, success will depend on their ability to work together as a cohesive unit. Communication and organisation will be crucial, with players needing to trust each other and work together to nullify the opposition's attacks.
If England's defence can perform to the best of their ability, they have every chance of going all the way in the tournament. With an array of attacking talent at their disposal, keeping clean sheets and limiting the opposition's chances will be key to their success. It won't be easy, but with the likes of Maguire, Stones, Walker, and Shaw in the team, England has the quality to compete with the very best.
The European Championship provides England with an opportunity to end their long wait for a major trophy. While the team's attacking talents will attract plenty of attention, it is the defence that will likely play a key role in their chances of success. With a squad boasting quality in every position, England should be confident of making a deep run in the tournament. It won't be easy, but if the defence can step up, and the team plays to their full potential, there is every chance that football could be coming home this summer.
