It is England's time to end 56 years of hurt

Image: @england Instagram

A lot of countries began playing football after English colonizers introduced it to them. Considering that, the English national team's performances haven't quite matched their importance in the game's history. England have won only 1 World Cup and even that came way back in 1966. But this time, they might just do it again.
The Three Lions aren't most attractive side in terms of playing style but under Gareth Southgate they have become a solid, tournament side. They are pragmatic but difficult to beat. In terms of talent, they have one of the deepest squads. The difference in level between starters and substitutes is basically non existent. There is great togetherness in the squad unlike in previous editions.
Southgate most commonly uses a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 system. The keeping department is sorted with Pickford, Ramsdale and Pope. In the fullback department, England probably have the most depth in the tournament with Walker, Alexander - Arnold, Trippier and Shaw. Stones, Coady, White and Maguire are a good set of centre-backs to have too, especially in international tournaments where set pieces become all the more important. Rice and Kalvin Phillips will be the players in the double pivot and prodigiously talented youngster Jude Bellingham also expected to feature heavily in the position. Saka, Mount, Foden, Grealish and Maddison will bring the creativity while Kane and Sterling will bring goals.
Another thing working for them is Southgate's man-management. He tends to get the best out of players who haven't been in good club form, like Maguire and Sterling.
England's World Cup campaigns are often shrouded by controversies away from the field, with just gets compounded by their historically poor record in the tournament. This time it's highly unlikely that this will happen.
Another thing to note will be their performance in penalty shootouts. Last World Cup it looked like they had buried those demons, but they returned to haunt them in the Euros final.
Semis in 2018, losing finalists in 2020 Euros, England will back themselves to do one better this time.