The sun is shining across England and it is only just the end of February going into March, but it already feels like the middle of the summer. The temperatures are high considering it is still technically winter, but that is not stopping people walking around in their t-shirts whilst others sit outside cafes, bars and pubs.
I’ve loving the last few days and cannot get enough of it, but it has already started reminding me of last summer and the time when this country once again fell in love with the England football team. That’s right, Football England was put back on the map last June and July thanks to Gareth Southgate and the young lions that represented the nation at the Russia World Cup 2018.
Now it is not long until we get to see the lads play together once again, I’m hoping they click and come together like last time but I’m also hoping this glorious weather continues as well. Surely I can’t have both though, not when we’re still three weeks away from when England take on the Czech Republic at Wembley for the start of their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
This will be the first time the Three Lions have taken on Czech Republic since way back in August 2008. Wes Brown scored is only ever England goal that day as he netted along with Joe Cole who scored a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly at Wembley. Fabio Capello was the England Head Coach back then, whilst Gareth Southgate was just starting his third year in charge of his first managerial role at Middlesbrough. Gareth having got the job a couple of years earlier, when previous manager Steve McClaren had left for the England manager’s job himself.
Southgate has been keeping a somewhat low profile in recent months, well apart from being spotted out in the United States with England captain Harry Kane for Superbowl LIII. Apart from that though, he’s been doing his homework and has been seen at grounds up and down the country as well as in Europe as he and his coaching staff watch his young players playing.
From there he’ll be able to assess all aspects of each individual player so he is able to pick his next England squad, not just for the game ahead, but for the future years too. The future is bright in my opinion and I cannot wait to see us play once again. Lets hope England’s football continues to bring us joy, just like the sunny weather is currently doing.
After the Czech Republic game at Wembley, England face Montenegro away from home just three days later in another qualifier. That is it then until 6th June when England head to Guimarães in Portugal to face Holland in the first ever UEFA Nations League Semi-Final. Win that and they could then face either hosts Portugal or Switzerland in the Final on 9th June at the Estádio do Dragão Stadium in Porto. Roll on the summer.