Former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville believes England's defence may cost them dearly at Euro 2024.
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England begin Euros against SerbiaDefence is Three Lions' weakest areaNeville concerned about trophy bidWHAT HAPPENED?
The ex-England player raised his concerns about Gareth Southgate's squad for the tournament. When it was suggested Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi will start alongside Manchester City's John Stones against Serbia on Sunday, he raised his fears about the Three Lions' backline.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT GARY NEVILLE SAID
He said on : "That is a massive opportunity for Guehi, I think he's an exciting young player. But when you think about winning a tournament… unless this tournament is going to throw up something previous tournaments haven't, defensively you have to be strong to go the whole way. That is the massive worry. I was hearing Roy [Keane] last night talking about it, and Ian [Wright) referring to it, everyone is referring to England's defence. I'm struggling to see, unless Gareth [Southgate] somehow finds a way to compensate for them, how we go the whole way with that back four. Unless they play the game of their lives every week, but I'm struggling to see how that can happen."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
For all of England's attacking talent, including Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and more, they are, arguably, more vulnerable in defence. Southgate is without former captain Harry Maguire due to injury and the likes of Lewis Dunk, Guehi, and Ezri Konsa have little to no experience at this level. It remains to be seen if that will prove costly in their bid to win their first international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
After Southgate's men take on Serbia at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, England lock horns with 1992 Euros winners Denmark on June 20, before coming up against Slovenia five days later in their final group stage match.