Ashley Cole says he fancies England’s chances at Euro 2024 but has picked out France as his favourites to win the tournament for a third time in their history.
England overcame Serbia to get their campaign off to a winning start in Group C, with Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute header proving decisive in Gelsenkirchen.
But the Three Lions – seeking a first major trophy in 58 years – struggled to replicate their early dominance after the half-time break and it took an important late save from Jordan Pickford to ensure they emerged with all three points.
Next up for England is another potential banana skin in the shape of Denmark, in what is a repeat of the Euro 2020 semi-final, and Gareth Southgate’s men will be targeting a much-improved performance in Frankfurt.
Victory would see Harry Kane and Co secure a spot in the knockout phase, where they would no doubt come up against stiffer opposition, with Germany, Spain and Portugal all advancing in that direction with opening-round wins.
While on punditry duty with beIN SPORTS, Cole – England’s most capped full-back of all time – ranked the Three Lions and Germany as strong contenders but revealed his money would be on France to come out on top this summer.
Asked whether he fancies England’s chances, the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star replied: ‘Oh, of course I do.
‘I’m going England over Germany.
‘I think the favourite, for me, is France but you could see from their last game that it’s not going to be easy.’
Cole said he had been impressed by Germany’s transformation since their dismal group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
‘What they’ve done there with that group of players, that World Cup group that failed: out,’ he added.
‘[They have brought through] younger, enthusiastic, physical players that can run. They’re aggressive when they want to get after the ball, they can keep the ball.
‘They’ve got a few older ones in there but they’ve got the quality of individuals so I understand why Germany will definitely be one of the favourites. But I’ve also enjoyed watching Spain. I really like the way they play.’
‘Everyone has respected him that has played with him. Everyone talks highly of him,’ he said.
‘He might have the little tantrums here and there but we’ve all been little babies at times and we’ve had our little tantrums.
‘But I think what hopefully you’re going to see from this Ronaldo is the humbleness to understand, “I might have to lead maybe with my voice and not particularly always with the ball and me playing football”.
‘He may have to sacrifice and suffer a little bit of not playing and go, “I am gassed, I will get taken off because I understand there is someone better. I’ve tried, I’ve done it”.’
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