The England legend is predicting England can go all the way (Picture: Getty)
Sir Geoff Hurst believes England have what it takes to finally end their almost 60 years of hurt by winning Euro 2024 this summer.
The 1966 World Cup final hero has praised the embarrassment of riches in the Three Lions squad, insisting the young talent available at Gareth Southgate’s disposal is the best in Europe, bar none.
Sir Geoff has also leaped to the defence of Southgate and believes reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020 represents a job well done for the England manager.
‘Our chances of winning the European Championship this summer are very good,’ Sir Geoff told The Sun.
‘The leadership under Gareth has been really terrific and to have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the Euros is good going.’
‘There was a spell a few years ago where players felt it was more important to play European football with a club than represent their country.
‘That’s all changed now under Southgate, although I recognise there’s still a section of people who will moan about how he gets England playing. But you look at what he’s done and how he works. There’s been a gigantic step forward, so we’ve got a great chance.
England are stacked full of young stars (Picture: Getty)
‘Some of the foreign managers haven’t done very well and some of our performances in tournaments have been shocking. But it will not be a shock to me if we win this summer.
‘I say that because I think we’ve got THE best bunch of young players, although it will be hard.’
The 82 year-old unsurprisingly singled out Jude Bellingham for praise, with the former Birmingham City academy graduate enjoying a sensational first season with Real Madrid.
Bellingham is Madrid’s top scorer in all competitions with 20 goals so far this campaign and a repetition of his club form for his country will see England well-placed to add their name to the roll of honour at the European Championships.
‘Jude Bellingham is an unbelievable talent – what he’s done with his career so far is incredible.
‘He’s gone to Real Madrid and it seems he can’t stop scoring. That shows what a fantastic player he is.
‘But Jude is also one of a great bunch of young players, which is magnificent. He’s still only 20 which is astonishing and he is brilliant.
Bellingham will be hoping to lead England to glory this summer (Picture: Getty)
‘Plus he seems to be a nice lad and doesn’t seem to be getting carried away with anything.
‘I cannot speak highly enough about him. But he’s just one of a good number of young England players who will only get better, so we have a very good chance.’
England have been installed as pre-tournament favourites by the bookies, ahead of France, Germany and Spain, such is the expectation surrounding the current crop of players.
Euro 2024 gets underway in Germany on June 14, with England drawn in Group C alongside Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
The Three Lions will take on Brazil (March 23) and Belgium (March 26) in two friendlies during this month’s international break.