It was a powerful combination of factors that summer. A tournament held in England at a time of tremendous optimism; with New Labour in its infancy and still extremely popular, Brit Pop setting the charts on fire, and a decent footballing side with the hopes of a nation on its shoulders.
Of course, that optimism only lasted as long as our resolve in the penalty shoot-out against Germany in the Semi-finals, but there remains a feeling that the England team of Euro 1996 was the last great football team we had.
Twenty three years on, we head into Euro 2020 with a young team that hasn’t been soured by cynicism and has strong hopes for success at the tournament. So does a comparison of key positions between the two sides flatter our current crop?
Separated by two decades, much has changed during the intervening period. But we took a look at the club form of players heading into the European Championships – both in 1996 and 2019
David Seaman V Jordan Pickford
Both these keepers have some serious pedigree for England. David Seaman ended with 75 caps for the Three Lions, while the Everton stopper is way off.
Seaman saved two penalties at Euro 1996, one against Scotland in a group game and the other against Spain in a penalty shoot-out to settle the Quarter-final (that’s not to say the Sunderland born keeper hasn’t had penalty saving moments, see his shoot out heroics against Colombia at Russia 2018.)
It’s perhaps unsurprising he played so well at the tournament, after a brilliant club season for Arsenal in which he saved 98% of shots and kept 21 clean sheets. Those familiar with EPL Expert Predictions could note, Pickford hasn’t reached those heights during the past season with Everton, but he has still maintained a strong record in goal.
Who we’d rather have: Seaman by a country mile.
Stuart Pearce V Ben Chilwell
The art of playing full-back has changed quite a bit in the past 20 years. Back in 1996, Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce was the epitome of a rugged, passionate and uncompromising defender.
Fast forward to the present and Ben Chilwell represents the new breed of full-back. More like auxiliary wingers, they are as likely to assist goals as they are to make goal-line clearances.
That said Stuart Pearce chipped in with three goals for Nottingham Forrest in the 1995/6 season. But they were shipping them at the back, and were relegated from the Premier League the following season.
Chilwell has has enjoyed a break-out year with Leicester and deserves his place in the side, even if England are blessed with strong options at left-back.
Who we’d rather have: Chilwell undoubtedly looks like an exciting prospect, however what team couldn’t do with a Psycho.
Harry Maguire V Tony Adams
As part of the famous Arsenal back four with Steve Bould, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn he captained a tight ship at the back for the Gunners. When he played that season their defence was so miserly they only conceded a goal every 133 minutes.
Harry Maguire on the other hand has endured a pretty miserable start to his debut year at Old Trafford, question marks still occasionally remain around 26-year-olds positioning and awareness in games. Areas the occasionally lumbering Adams was expert in.
Who we’d rather have: Adams any day of the week.
Alan Shearer V Harry Kane
The parallels between these two are uncanny. Both top scorers in the Premier League before heading to the Euros, Shearer went on to become top scorer at Euro 1996.
They share some similarities in playing style, and many are tipping Harry Kane to make a significant impact in France this summer.
Older than Kane when when he headed to Euro 1996, Shearer had a better season for Blackburn in 1995/6 than Kane has so far for Tottenham this season – but their goal tallies are not far apart.
Who we’d rather have: Toughest of the lot for us. Shearer was a scoring machine, however Harry Kane is a more complete player – Kane edges it.
Teddy Sheringham V Marcus Rashford
Before we shout out the fact that Sheringham was a far different forward player to Rashford, it’s worth remembering that the United striker is a direct support for Harry Kane – as Teddy was for Alan.
In that respect a comparison with then Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham makes sense. Never blessed with pace (Rashford has plenty), the former Champions League winner was an intelligent link-up player who also chimed in with his fair share of goals.
He scored 11 total goals in an England shirt, hardly impressive compared to Rashford’s 10, but the pairs assist numbers are more comparable, with both claiming around half a dozen during the season.
Who we’d rather have: Big goals in big matches, Rashford has a lot to do in this department. We’re gonna go with Teddy on this one.