Blind: Array of attacking options can give England Euro edge

Daley Blind captained the Netherlands to friendly success over England at Wembley this week but the Dutch defender feels the Three Lions have the attacking talent to be a force at Euro 2016.

The Netherlands, who have missed out on Euro 2016, bounced back after Jamie Vardy opened the scoring to win 2-1 in London, Vincent Janssen’s penalty and a strike from Luciano Narsingh turning the game around.

Despite that win, Manchester United defender Blind feels it is clear that Roy Hodgson’s side are further along their development right now.

Blind was impressed with goalscorer Vardy, as he has been all season in the Premier League, and he highlights the variety of striking talent available to Hodgson as a key weapon going to France this summer.

“You look to the opponent and we know that England is a bit further than us at the moment,” said Blind.

“England is a stronger team and they have a lot of quality in the team. But I think England have enough quality to score goals, they have a lot of goalscorers so I don’t think they have to worry.”

Vardy has already scored 19 times in the Premier League as Leicester pursue a fairytale title win and Blind has been impressed with the Foxes forward.

“It’s an incredible story, he has done a great job all season already in England,” Blind said.

“You know that he is a runner, he runs in the channels and you can prepare for that, but he is a good striker.”

England will face Wales, Russia and Slovakia in Group B this summer in France and, according to Blind, having the likes of Vardy, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge to call upon will leave opponents guessing what type of England they are going to face.

“I think it’s great if you have so many strikers with different qualities, I think you can surprise an opponent very well. I think they have very good strikers,” he added.

England are 9.00 to win Euro 2016 while tournament hosts France are 4.00.