’24 CARAT GOALS

Haaland took all the headlines but that masked how Southgate’s array of strikers have been banging in the goals... and will be a force in the Euros

- KEITH WEBSTER

WHEN Germany set the European Championship in motion at Munich’s Allianz Arena on June 14 next summer, their fans will expect it to be the first kick in a triumphant march to glory in Berlin exactly one month later. 

But as much as England fans believe the Germans usually end up winners anywhere they play, they have not won the Euros since 1996, at the old Wembley.

Nothing would delight Three Lions followers more than for Gareth Southgate's side to repay the compliment on German soil and return to England with their first Euros success. It would taste all the sweeter for Southgate, who came close to winning it in 1996 as a player only to be painted as the villain when he missed a penatly in the semifinal shootout that saw the Germans advance to the final.

But when it comes to having the firepower to do some damage in Germany next summer, Southgate must pinch himself at how many of his strike-force are coming to the boil at just the right time.

The new Premier League season begins in just 46 days' time and, although everyone was left trailing in Erling Haaland's dust last season, a closer look should encourage England supporters.