ENGLAND continue to confound Dream Team Euros managers worldwide.
Gareth Southgate’s side were seconds away from elimination at the hands of Slovakia on Sunday but Jude Bellingham’s (£6m) 95th-minute overhead kick changed the complexion of the round of 16 tie in Gelsenkirchen.
Buoyed by this rare moment of inspiration, Harry Kane (£7.5m) then scored an opportunistic header early on in extra time, which proved to be the winner.
Both goals were huge moments of joy for the Three Lions but the nature of the overall performance was desperately underwhelming once again.
Had England been dumped out, Dream Team Euros bosses would have no other choice than to replace the likes of Bellingham and company but now they have a big decision to make – stick or twist?
Real Madrid’s 21-year-old superstar is now ranks third among all midfielders having taken his overall tally to 33 points.
His average of 8.3 points-per-game is undeniably impressive and yet he hasn’t been at his most effective at this tournament.
However, Bellingham is clearly capable of providing a blockbuster moment – a useful trait.
It’s similar story for England’s captain.
Kane has looked a sluggish this summer and he’s been guilty of too many heavy touches but he remains natural goalscorer.
The 30-year-old striker has now scored two goals at Euro 2024.
On current form, many neutrals will fancy Switzerland to knock off England in Saturday’s first quarter-final as Murat Yakin’s men produced a convincing performance to beat Italy 2-0 in the last 16.
Dream Team Euros gaffers will have to weigh up the points provided by England’s most-popular assets so far with their capacity to register healthy returns going forward, based on the performances.
Does a second of genuine magic compensate for a lacklustre overview?
One player who definitely needs to be replaced is Marc Guehi (£3m).
The Crystal Palace centre-back has been one of the better performers in the squad but he’s suspended for Matchday 5 having picked up his second booking.
Plus, Kieran Trippier (£4.5m) may be injured as he was forced off midway through the second half – it remains to be seen whether he’s available for the next game.
Whatever the case, England’s status as unconvincing quarter-finalists is a real spanner in the works for Dream Team Euros managers.
