Wayne Bridge: ‘Southgate deserves to take England to the 2026 World Cup if they win the Euros’

With England into a second consecutive European Championship final, Gareth Southgate will be aiming to go one better and win the competition for the first time in the nation’s history. With his future as manager still unclear, former England international Wayne Bridge believes that Gareth deserves to take this team to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico if he wins Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain. Speaking to Betfred, Bridge also spoke about why he believes Luke Shaw should start on Sunday, Chelsea transfer gossip and much more. 

What impressed you most about England in their victory over the Netherlands?

“For me, it was the way they pressed. Holland were able to get out a couple of times, but I thought we were more positive going forward and we were actually finding space. [Phil] Foden was finding little pockets and trying to make things happen. I thought he was really good and he was unlucky to not get a goal.

“England were more in control of the game, but you know that you’re never going to dominate an entire game and at times it was nerve wracking. Ultimately, the lads did really well.”

Did Gareth Southgate do anything in the semi-final against Holland that impressed you particularly?

“He’s had a lot of criticism in terms of players that should play and who shouldn’t. It’s a really hard job, but for him to take Phil Foden and Harry Kane off for Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer to rescue it, and then they did rescue it, then fair play to him. 

“There always seems as if there’s a belief with these players and they all seem very mature. Taking Foden and Kane off, knowing it could go to extra time and penalties, to try and win the game was brilliant.”

Do you believe Kieran Trippier will be dropped for Sunday’s final?

“I would, but whether Gareth decides to is another thing. Luke Shaw must be fit now, and I’m not sure if he is fit enough to start or not, but he would give us balance and get forward more. He would give us that natural width and is capable of taking a touch and whipping it straight in for the forwards. You don’t get that from Trippier. I think going with that change would make Spain worry a bit more and it will make them worry about us rather than us worrying too much about them.”

Are there any other changes that you believe will be made to the starting line-up on Sunday?

“I imagine Gareth won’t change it, but I’ve always said that I’d love to see Cole Palmer start. I said the other day that I’d love to see how it would be if Ollie Watkins started and see if he gives us a bit more. However, everything’s gone well and the subs he’s brought on have made an impact. With that being said, I won’t want to go against anything he’s done. I’d like to see Palmer start, but I don’t think he will. I think he would give Spain something else to worry about, but Spain is such a great team.”

What did you make of the performance of Kobbie Mainoo against Holland?

“He’s a great player. We’ve got so much talent, so wherever you’re watching the game, whether that’s at home with friends or at the pub, somebody’s got something to say about who should be playing and who shouldn’t because we’ve got so much talent. Now, the players have everybody on their side and it’s evident that as a collective, they’re such a tight unit and have a strong bond. They definitely have belief and it’s just brilliant to see.”

Do you believe their opponents in the final, Spain, have been the best team in the tournament so far? Do you believe they have any weaknesses that England can exploit?

“They’ve been great. They’ve beaten Germany and France, so England just have to compete with them. They have players such as Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams that need to be stopped. There’s also Rodri, who’s obviously world-class, so they’ve got to stop him building attacks. Ultimately, England needs to compete with them and make Spain worry about us a lot. They need to do what they did against Holland and get into space, turning and going forward.”

If England wins in the final, does Gareth deserve to take this team to the World Cup in 2026? 

“I think he’d definitely deserve it. At the end of the day, it will come down to whether they win it or not. He gets a lot of criticism and a lot of stick but now they’re into the final, everybody will be behind him now and saying how well he’s done. It all depends on how he feels really and if he wins it and decides to go, then it will be sad but he’s gone out on a high. He may be unsure about what he wants to do going forward, but I’d love to see him stay and take the team to the World Cup if he wins the Euros. He may believe that he can win that as well.”

And finally on England, do you believe they’ve got a good chance of winning Sunday’s final?

“I find it really difficult to predict games. In football, you never know what’s going to happen sometimes and that’s what’s great about the sport. It all depends on which team turns up on the day and which side is feeling most confident. 

“It’s going to be a tough game and I know that Spain is a great team, but I believe we’re going to compete with them. I’m hoping that it’s going to be another Gareth masterclass when it comes to his substitutions and they come on and win England the game. I’d love Cole Palmer to come on and score because I’ve been rooting for him to get one all tournament. It’s going to be tight and I hope we can nick it.”

If there’s one player you’d like to see Chelsea sign off the back of an impressive Euros, then who would you choose and why?

“Possibly Niclas Füllkrug. He’s big, strong and he nicks a goal. Chelsea have had the likes of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa, physical players that are capable of getting goals as well. We talk about players coming into Chelsea, but they definitely need to get rid of some before any come in. That’s for sure.”

Arsenal and Manchester United are said to have an interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, who’s impressed for England at the European Championships this summer. Considering he came through the youth academy at Chelsea, do you believe your former club needs to make sure they’re in the race to sign him alongside their Premier League rivals?

“He’s a great player, but I’m not sure. Chelsea already have a number of centre-backs and I think if they’re going to buy another central defender, then it needs to be guaranteed that they’re the main one. I don’t know if Guéhi is going to be that one. You don’t need anymore centre-backs as squad players, you need that one player that’s going to be their rock at the back like Thiago Silva was for them. He was a leader for Chelsea and they need somebody that’s going to be the backbone of the team. I’m not so sure about that move.”

Chelsea are said to be one of the few clubs considering triggering the reported £50 million release clause of RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo. Would you love to see Olmo, who has been one of the stars of the Euros, make the move to Stamford Bridge?

“I think any Chelsea fan would love to see him come to Stamford Bridge. What makes me laugh though, is that Chelsea get linked with all these players but look at the size of their squad. They need to get rid of some players. It’s just crazy. Olmo’s a great player and he gets in those little pockets of space. He’s a really good player.”

According to reports, Atlético Madrid are ‘dreaming’ of signing Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher. We know that you don’t want the midfielder to leave Stamford Bridge, but do you believe he would be well suited to the way that Diego Simeone’s side love to play and do you believe he would be a brilliant signing for Atlético Madrid?

“Yes, definitely. Conor’s a player that works hard and he’s got such a great level of energy that he can just go, go, go. He stands out due to his energy and he’s always running around and doing what his manager asks of him. You could see that move working for Atlético Madrid, definitely.”