John Obi Mikel hopes that England can end their 58-year wait for a trophy by winning Euro 2024.
The former Chelsea midfielder has looked ahead to this summer’s tournament with talkSPORT and predicted which players he believes will make a huge impact.
Hosts Germany kick-off the European Championship against Scotland in Munich on June 14, with 24 countries battling to be crowned champions in July.
Italy appear at the tournament as reigning champions, with France, Germany, Spain and Portugal among the favourites to win this year.
As are England, with former Nigeria international Mikel hopeful they can utilise their wide range of talent and lift the trophy.
“It’s coming home!” he said when asked who he thinks will win Euro 2024. “That’s what we hear all the time, it’s coming home! My hope is that it comes home this time, I hope England win it but no doubt about it, there’s strong, strong teams out there in the Euros.
“France, Germany now coming back again, the Netherlands, there’s a lot of strong, strong teams. Of course England are always there, but it’s just about getting over the line and sometimes when you look at it is it about mentality, is it about how much they want it?
“Because now obviously the season is over, players are tired, it’s the mental side of it, legs are tired, you want to go on holidays, your colleagues are on holiday.
“You’re thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to have to do this for another two or three weeks and then I’m going to have a holiday for two weeks, I’m not going to have enough holiday.’ All that plays in your head, it’s about the mental side of it.
“Who is mentally strong, who wants it more? And that’s what it’s going to come down to, does England want it more or they want to be on holiday?
“You have to think about all that, all that becomes a factor when it comes to tournaments like this, so we’ll wait and see, it’s going to be difficult. It’s going to be an amazing tournament, I can’t wait for it to start, and we’ll have to wait and see who wins it.”
England boast quality in all areas of the pitch and when asked who he thinks will be key to their success, Mikel said: “[Harry] Kane is always there, yeah. I think obviously we’re looking at the best player now this season in England, no doubt about it, is Phil Foden.
“If Phil Foden plays well for England, I think England has a chance. But will he be the man that plays in the no.10 role? I don’t know, that’s a headache for Gareth Southgate to sort out, Jude Bellingham plays there, Phil Foden plays there, who are you going to pick, who’s going to be in the starting XI?
“He has a lot of players to choose from, it’s about making the right decision, picking the right players at the right time in every game. But no doubt about it, England has got a fantastic team, Harry Kane is always in there, scores a goal.
“Ollie Watkins as well has had an amazing season, is he one that’s going to come off the bench as well to score goals? We’ll wait and see but like I said, England have got an amazing team.”
He added: “England have got an amazing team, John Stones, Kyle Walker, these guys are going to have to play a big, big part for England.”
England aren’t the only side with world-class talent as France boast World Cup winners including Kylian Mbappe and Portugal still have the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks.
Manchester City stars Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne will surely shine for Spain and Belgium respectively but when asked who he’s most excited to watch, Mikel said: “I think the French team.
“Obviously you always want to watch the French team, of course Portugal is there, Ronaldo is always there, he’s always a guy to watch.
“France, Kylian Mbappe, England, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, I’m a huge fan of Kobbie. I think he’s going to be an absolutely fantastic player for England and for Manchester United, so I’m really looking forward to watching these guys.”
Whilst the European Championship trophy is the most coveted achievement in the tournament, individual honours are also up for grabs.
A number of players will fight for the Top Scorer award, with Ronaldo the joint-winner at Euro 2020 with the Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick on five goals.
Mikel believes the former will battle for it again but could be stopped by England’s captain: “Top scorer… I’m a huge, huge, huge fan of Harry Kane, I love Harry Kane. I think… he knows he scores goals, he can smell, he knows how to score goals.
“When you have a striker that can do that, he’s always in the conversation. I think Harry Kane for me should be no.1, Cristiano Ronaldo, if he plays and plays well, Portugal play well, he’s one that can score goals, so I think those two for me really.”
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named as the Player of the Tournament in the last competition, but it’s City star Foden who could take the crown in Germany.
“I’ll love to watch Kobbie Mainoo, I think Phil Foden can be in the conversation of being the best player at the tournament. When he plays for City, he’s such an amazing football player.
“With his half-turn, first touches, the way he plays, scoring goals, assists, so for me he will be one. Jude Bellingham of course had an amazing season for Real Madrid, so there’s a lot of players there to watch out for.”
News Summary:
- England tipped to win Euro 2024 by Chelsea hero, with Phil Foden to star whilst Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo fight for top scorer
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.