England’s Euro 2024 qualification was confirmed as a stylish 3-1 victory over Italy secured their place in Germany next summer.
It has been a fairly routine qualification campaign for Gareth Southgate’s side, with an opening matchday victory away in Italy setting the tone for the Three Lions back in March. There have been five wins and just one draw along the way, with England aiming to rid themselves of the ghosts of Euro 2020 in a little under a year’s time.
There have been some impressive performances in qualifying so far, including a 7-0 victory over North Macedonia, back-to-back wins against the European champions and convincing successes over Malta and Ukraine.
But there have also been eye-catching individual performances. Here are England’s standout contributors in Euro 2024 qualifying so far – ranked.
It’s fair to say that England’s attacking performances have taken the headlines in qualification, with some impressive outings from the front line. However, Kyle Walker has been a key influence in the backline for Southgate.
The right-back has been incredibly consistent for England, starting five of six matches and even netting his first national team goal against Ukraine in early September. It was a wonderfully-taken strike in a 1-1 draw – one Harry Kane himself would have been proud of – but it’s what Walker offers in defensive solidity that makes him essential.
The Manchester City man’s pace and recovery speed help England to push up the pitch in the knowledge he can sweep up counter attacks, while his ability in one-v-one situations against speedy wingers makes him borderline irreplaceable.
Declan Rice has taken his sensational form over the past year with him on international duty, putting in some top performances for England. His third goal for his country capped a man of the match showing against Italy back in March and the Arsenal midfielder has been typically authoritative in the centre of the park since.
While he hasn’t had to be at his very best at times in Group C, he has done exactly what is required of him in a number six role. Rice is adept in breaking play up, picking up second balls, making crucial interceptions and shielding the back line, making him an automatic starter for Southgate when fit.
Another Arsenal star who has been in devastating form for England, Bukayo Saka has also become an instant pick in the England starting lineup. A hat-trick against North Macedonia included one of the finest England goals of recent years – a wonderfully taken volley that flew beyond Stole Dimitrievski at Old Trafford.
Saka also executed a beautiful curled effort during England’s 2-0 win over Ukraine and has been a constant menace for opposition left-backs throughout qualification.
Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to Saka is that he has largely kept Phil Foden out of the lineup on the right flank. Far from an easy task.
Harry Kane took his Euro 2024 qualifying tally up to seven during England’s 3-1 win over Italy. Typically, one came from the penalty spot, but the other was a lovely striker’s goal, poking the ball beyond the last defender, shrugging off Alessandro Bastoni and firing beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.
The Bayern Munich forward and England’s record goalscorer now has 61 strikes in 87 matches, having been named captain back in 2018. Kane’s ability to drop deep and spray passes left and right is yet another string to his bow, but his hold-up play and instincts in the penalty area are what truly set him apart from the rest.
When England were lacking a spark during the first half hour of the 3-1 win over Italy, it was Jude Bellingham they turned to. The Real Madrid man, who now has 11 goals and five assists in all competitions for club and country this season, once again exhibited his Zinedine Zidane-esque qualities on the international stage.
Winning the penalty for the first goal and setting up the second beautifully, Bellingham’s performance was laced with class. It’s also the midfielder’s attitude, work ethic and leadership qualities that have now made him indispensable for Southgate.
If one man can lead England to Euro 2024 glory, it’s Bellingham.
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