Why Can’t England Win the Big One?
The nation that invented the sport we all love is usually considered a favourite before the start of any competition.
However, the outcome is often the same: early eliminations or failure to deliver in finals.
Follow us on social networks to stay updated on the latest foreign football news: Instagram, Facebook e X.
Index
English Football History
When we talk about the England national team, which has indeed featured many top-tier players and today boasts one of the most competitive squads, we might imagine they have a trophy-laden cabinet.
Especially when we consider that they are the creators of the most widely played sport in the world.
Before you search on Google, let me ask the readers: How many titles do you think England has?
The first thing that comes to mind for the older fans and football aficionados is the 1966 World Cup, held on home soil.
Image: Wikipédia
That title, won in a rather controversial manner, is the sole triumph at the highest level.
Given all the hype surrounding the England team, many think the European Championship trophy graces their cabinet as well, but in what year?
That was a trick question since England has never won the Euros.
In fact, reaching the finals in the last two editions marks their best performances in the tournament’s history.
Before that, their best result was in 1996, when they reached the semi-finals.
Aside from this, England has three Olympic gold medals. However, the first one, in 1900, can’t be truly considered as it was contested by clubs, not national teams.
On the other hand, when it comes to youth football, England is a true powerhouse, winning numerous trophies across various age categories.
For instance, they are the joint-most successful team in the Under-19 European Championship, with 11 titles alongside Spain.
So, why does their performance plummet at the professional level?
Image: ESPN
Why Can’t England Win?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific reason for the lack of success of the England national team in major professional competitions.
However, we can speculate on several factors contributing to their often dismal performances over the years.
The first reason is the inflated perception of the national team, which has been artificially boosted throughout its history.
The great English stars from the 1966 generation and the early 2000s are the most well-known.
When we look at the main players from the early 2000s like Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard, and Scholes, we’re stunned by the national team’s woeful performances.
At the Euros, they were knocked out in the group stage in 2000, reached the quarter-finals in 2004, and failed to qualify in 2008.
In the World Cup, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006. In 2010, it was even worse as they crashed out in the round of 16.
Given this, it begs the question: Were these players as good as we believed them to be?
This unfounded expectation increases the pressure on each new generation year after year.
Even though the current squad has excellent players, they are once again overrated, creating enormous pressure that affects the players’ psyche, rendering them incapable of delivering in crucial moments.
Another point could be the number of foreign players allowed in the Premier League.
Does the fact that the English market is the most competitive, attracting top talents worldwide, harm the national players who lose their place?
If English fans genuinely want results to start showing, they need to lower their expectations drastically.
Stop with the famous “Football’s coming home,” because football hasn’t been England’s home for at least a hundred years.
Treat your national team according to its competitive level.
We don’t see the Dutch, Spanish, Uruguayans, or Portuguese generating this kind of pressure on their teams.
In summary, treat England as it deserves, based on the titles they’ve actually won, not the ones fans believe they should win.
Image: SAMAD / AFP
Written by Vitor F L Miller.
