No one has better players – Harry Redknapp backs England to ‘rip it up’ at Euros

Gareth Southgate’s side are the favourites to triumph in Germany.

Jonathan Veal
Thursday 06 June 2024 14:03 BST
Harry Redknapp believes England have the best players at Euro 2024 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Harry Redknapp believes England have the best players at Euro 2024 (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Harry Redknapp believes England should “rip the opposition to pieces” as they aim for Euro 2024 glory this summer.

Gareth Southgate’s side are the favourites to triumph in Germany and finally end their 58-year wait for a major trophy.

Redknapp says with the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Kyle Walker and Declan Rice at their disposal, no other team at the European Championship is as well equipped as England to lift the trophy this summer.

“This is a fantastic group of players, we should win this tournament,” Redknapp told the PA news agency.

“No one has better players than England. The best players are in the England team.

“Bellingham, Foden, Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, and Rice has been amazing, it is a great group of players.

“I will be disappointed if we don’t win it. We have got to be positive, we have got great attacking options, let’s go out and take it to the opposition.

“Don’t fear anyone, let’s show what we can do, let’s go and rip them to pieces with the fantastic attacking ability we have got.

“I am not going to worry too much about the opposition. As a group no one has better players than us.”

Bellingham could be the key to England’s success this summer, with the 20-year-old’s star burning brightly following an amazing first season at Real Madrid.

He was their talismanic player and helped them to a LaLiga and Champions League double.

Redknapp has described him as a once-in-a-generation talent.

“He has got everything, he is a class act, on the field and off the field,” Redknapp said. “He is a Rolls Royce. Those players don’t come along often.

“He has gone to Real Madrid and became their star man at 20. It is amazing. He is experienced and his football knowledge at that age is unbelievable.

“He will be key for us.”

Redknapp could once have led England to a European Championship had things turned out differently in 2012.

Then captain Wayne Rooney famously publicly said he would choose Redknapp to replace Fabio Capello in the build up to Euro 2012, but the Football Association opted for Roy Hodgson.

The 77-year-old is getting the chance to test himself against would-be managers on Sorare – a free to play fantasy football alternative where users can play in a mini-league.

“It would have been great to do it, I would have loved to manage England for sure,” he added.

“With that group of players, I really thought there was a chance of winning something. There was an amazing group of footballers at that time.

“I am going to have to be at my best to prove I am the best manager England never had.

“It is not going to be easy, I am going to get a lot of top competition but I am going to do my best.”

:: Free to play fantasy football game Sorare has appointed Harry Redknapp as a coach. Play against Harry in his Rivals League this European Championship, to show off your knowledge from your sofa or your sun lounger and win incredible prizes including a meet and greet. For more info visit: https://go.sorare.com/fdcdz

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in