13 Jun, 2024 @ 08:00
3 mins read

Bottlers, led by a donkey, and Maguire: Spanish football fans weigh in on the ‘inhuman’ England football team’s chances at upcoming Euro 2024 in Germany – but some are optimistic

ONE would think a team featuring the European Golden Shoe winner, the La Liga Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Year should be among the favourites for Euro 2024.

Not according to Spanish football fans.

The hotly-anticipated tournament kicks off with hosts Germany taking on Scotland in Munich on Friday, with England set to play Serbia on Sunday.

However, a potential starting eleven that features the stellar names of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden was widely derided on Spanish X.

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Harry Kane the England captain will lead the team out for their first game against Serbia on Sunday June 16

“This team is inhuman – the only way England doesn’t win the Euros is if they self-destruct,” wrote user Mando Sanabria Roa.

However, Sanabria was soon put in his place by his fellow Spanish football fans.

“The only way they don’t win the Euros: It is England – it’s already enough,” laughed one user.

Another reader agreed: “England is their own worst enemy.”

A third said: “They are English! It’s not hard for them to fail.”

Various readers dismissed England as pecho frio, which describes players who don’t perform under pressure and could translate as ‘bottlers’ or ‘chokers’.

One commenter pointed out how ‘it already happened in Russia 2018, Wembley 2021 and Qatar 2022.’

“They were dominating Croatia, they backed down absurdly against Italy and they had France on the ropes and then lost anyway.”

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Maligned defender Harry Maguire will not be playing for England at the Euros

According to the Spanish fans, England should be breathing a sigh of relief that injured Manchester United defender Harry Maguire didn’t make the squad after they identified him as a major weak link.

“No matter how well he has played, there will always be the question of when he will turn into Mr Hyde again.”

England manager Gareth Southgate was next in the firing line.

“They are led by this donkey so best to move on to something else,” wrote one above a photo of Southgate.

“England has always stood out for its star names, but it does not have a coach at the level of its players.”

Southgate was then compared to Italian coach Massimilliano Allegri.

“Although England may be a more dominant team, I see Southgate similar to Allegri: neither were well liked because they are not very aesthetic, but they are effective.”

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England manager Gareth Southgate was pilloried by the Spanish football fans

Then the current selection was unfavourably compared to England’s failed ‘golden generation’ of 2004 to 2006, which featured a host of mega stars.

“The generation of Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, Beckham and company was better and they turned out to be duds.”

Another agreed: “They were a thousand times better and they didn’t win anything.”

Of the individual players, one claimed that bar Walker, Bellingham and Kane, ‘the others are overrated.’  “And taking out Bellingham, there is no real star (I know that X loves Kane, but if he is considered top 10, the bar is very low).”

It was also pointed out that England’s ‘golden generation’ of 2004 – 2006 were far superior to the current one and they failed to win

Saka, Rice, Shaw, and Pickford were described as ‘little players’. 

“Stones too – he passes it nicely but he is a sieve. His slip ups make Maguire transform into Beckenbauer For England. 

The Spanish football fans will be hoping their team doesn’t flop and ‘choke’ once again

“Alexander-Arnold is a hotshot, but putting him next to Rice and England lose the midfield. Verdict: they don’t beat France.”

However, other observers dismissed the detractors as ‘animals’ and shared a more nuanced take on the England team.

“Pickford is the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the Premier League in a team that is fighting relegation. 

“The one who served up the Euros on a little silver platter with the penalties he took. The one who grows when he plays with England.

Another said: “The biggest mistake to make about Maguire is to think he is bad or not up to it playing for England.”

Walter Finch

Walter Finch, who comes from a background in video and photography, is keen on reporting on and investigating organised crime, corruption and abuse of power. He is fascinated by the nexus between politics, business and law-breaking, as well as other wider trends that affect society.
Born in London but having lived in six countries, he is well-travelled and worldly. He studied Philosophy at the University of Birmingham and earned his diploma in journalism from London's renowned News Associates during the Covid era.
He got his first break in the business working on the Foreign News desk of the Daily Mail's online arm, where he also helped out on the video desk.
He then decided to escape the confines of London and returned to Spain in 2022, having previously lived in Barcelona for many years.
He took up up a reporter role with the Olive Press Newspaper and today he is based in La Linea de la Concepcion at the heart of a global chokepoint and crucial maritime hub, where he edits the Olive Press Gibraltar edition.
He is also the deputy news editor across all editions of the newspaper.

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