England’s 6 Key Players Ahead of Euro 2024 After Joey Barton’s Comment on Jude Bellingham

• Joey Barton has named Jude Bellingham England's most important player
• The former Manchester City star questioned the national team’s culture
• He urged the other players in camp to follow the youngster’s example

England hopes to go one step better than their Euro 2020 campaign when they play in Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany, as one of the favourites later in the summer.

Italy beat the Three Lions on penalties at Wembley Stadium in the last edition, denying them the opportunity to win the first major silverware since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

Former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has singled out Jude Bellingham for praise and called him the team's most important player while slamming the rest for the culture.

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Sports Brief looks at six key players for Gareth Southgate ahead of the European Championship.

England's key players

1. Jude Bellingham

As Barton rightly said, Bellingham is the team's best player going into the tournament. His form in his first season at Real Madrid earned him Ballon d'Or shouts. Per Goal, his 21 goals and 12 assists put him at the top of the power rankings.

2. Declan Rice

Per TNT Sports, Declan Rice and Bellingham are Europe's two most in-form midfielders this season. The Arsenal star will hold things together in the middle of the park to help the former Borussia Dortmund do business at the other end of the pitch.

3. Harry Kane

England's all-time top scorer, Harry Kane, is one of the vital members of the squad in terms of performance and leadership. His chances of winning his first trophy have dwindled with Bayern Munich. He could make his first trophy oneYear for his country at the championship in the summer.

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4. Bukayo Saka

The Arsenal academy graduate was named Three Lions’ Player of the Year in the last two years. He missed the decisive spot kick against Italy in 2021. He has a chance to redeem himself in Germany by helping England triumph.

5. John Stones

Pep Guardiola has honed Stones into a hybrid of a centre-back and a defensive midfielder. The Manchester City star will be crucial at the Euros to help marshall the defence and step into the midfield if needed during games.

Managers who could replace Southgate

Sports Brief analysed five managers who could replace Southgate if he leaves his role as England national team boss amidst reported interest from Manchester United.

United's minority owner and controller of football affairs, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has reportedly made the 53-year-old his priority target to replace Erik ten Hag at the end of the season.