The postponing of Euros could be a blessing in disguise for England

Because of the worldwide pandemic due to Coronavirus, Euro 2020 has been postponed until next summer, which could benefit England in numerous ways

As the world continues to fight COVID-19, the entire sports world has come to a screeching halt. Football all over the world has been suspended indefinitely, which is leaving many clubs in Europe in financial trouble.

With the virus sticking around for what looks like numerous months, UEFA decided to postpone this summer’s European Championships until 2021. Although this is a disappointment for many countries across the continent, it could be a real benefit for Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

With injuries to two of their top attackers, they will now have time to recover properly. The postponing of the tournament is also going to give several English hopefuls a shot at a call-up to the Three Lions next year.

Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford can heal

Tottenham’s main man ruptured a tendon in his left hamstring on New Year’s Day against Southampton, sidelining him for almost three months now. According to the Sun UK, Kane will be fit to return once the Premier League resumes, which could be another two months.

But with normal training within teams not occurring right now, it’s hard to believe that England’s number one striker will be 100 percent in even two months. The Euros were supposed to start in early June and it looked like Kane would be healthy enough to play consistent minutes for Southgate.

But there is no doubt that he’s going to be a lot sharper and in sync with playing football on a regular basis next summer, as long as he’s healthy.

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Rashford was enjoying a career-best campaign for the Red Devils, bagging 14 goals in just 22 Premier League appearances this term. His impressive year came crashing down in mid-January though when he suffered a double stress fracture in his back.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer voiced back in February that his star frontman would return before the end of the season, but lower back injuries are always very unpredictable. Even if he did return before the end of the season, it would take him ample time to get fit enough and back in the groove of playing regularly.

Again, it would have been doubtful that he’d be 100 percent ready to put his best foot forward for England at Euros. Just like Kane, he can focus on bringing his best form to the table next summer.

With Kane and Rashford playing an instrumental part in the England squad, this delay of the Euros is a blessing for the Three Lions when it comes to two of their most lethal attackers.

Opportunities for England hopefuls

With another Premier League season ahead before Euros next year, this opens up the possibility of several English players earning a call-up to the national team. Villa’s Jack Grealish and Man United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka are the two names that instantly come to mind.

Grealish has been about the only bright spot on an Aston Villa side who have severely struggled in their first year back in England’s top-flight since 2016. The 24-year old midfielder has been directly involved in 38 per cent of Villa’s 34 goals this season, bagging seven and tallying six assists. His creativity and pace on the attack this term have opened many eyes across England.

Grealish has appeared for the U21’s at the national team level but has yet to receive the call for the senior team. However, he was inching closer to a chance to play for the Three Lions in some exhibition fixtures prior to this summer’s tournament.

With another year until Euros now, Grealish is going to have a lot more time to develop. Thanks to his fine form, he’s been on the radar of Manchester United so we could see the youngster make a move to Old Trafford in the summer. If he continues to improve, Grealish could force Southgate’s hand in 2021.

Wan Bissaka is one of the quickest and sharpest right-backs in England, which earned him a call-up to England last year, but a back injury forced him to withdraw. He faces stiff competition at the position though with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, and Kieran Trippier vying for a starting spot.

It was doubtful that he’d even get on the squad for this summer, but now, Wan-Bissaka has a very good chance of earning a call-up for Euro 2021.

However, all these full-backs possess different attributes. Alexander-Arnold and Trippier are more wingbacks who can get further up the pitch and contribute to the attack, while Walker and Wan-Bissaka are more traditional right-backs who can dribble out of tight spaces and string together crucial passes.

But the Red Devils starlet could be the best tackler of the bunch, registering the most tackles of all four players this season with 99, which is second in the Premier League behind Leicester’s Ricardo Pereira.

Wan-Bissaka is just 22 years old and yet to register any minutes at the Senior team level, but his wide array of talents should earn him a call-up next summer.

England enters Euro 2021 as a favorite

Southgate’s men were already a favorite to win it all this summer, but with another 12 months until the tournament, they should have a tight-knit squad who will be a serious competitor. Kane and Rashford will be healthy, while others like Grealish and Wan-Bissaka could suit up for their country for the first time.

It’s a huge blow that we’ll need to wait another year for one of the most exciting footballing events on the globe, but you better believe England will be even more ready to bring it home next summer.