SAMI MOKBEL: Gareth Southgate has nothing to fear from the Euro 2024 draw… England are as ready as they’ve ever been and this is their tournament to LOSE

• Southgate’s England are finely poised to take on Europe’s best in Germany
• Saturday evening will see the groups drawn for next year’s Euro 2024 
• Big Ange has lost three in a row, but no chance he changes his style: It’s All Kicking Off

When Gareth Southgate takes his seat in Hamburg’s iconic Elbphilharmonie concert hall on Saturday night, he’ll perch comfortably in the knowledge that England are the team everyone wants to avoid.

Group of Death? Who cares. Banana skin? So what? Home nations clash? No problem. Bring. It. On.

Because this is England’s time, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

As ever at these formal soirees, Southgate will be in esteemed company.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, widely recognised as one European football’s most innovative and forward thinking minds, will be nearby.

Gareth Southgate will have nothing to fear as he awaits the group stage draw for Euro 2024

The precursory ceremony to next year’s tournament will take place at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg

Amongst those in attendence will be host manager Julian Nagelsmann (left) and World Cup winner Didier Deschamps

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If he scans the auditorium more intently, Southgate may catch glimpse of France manager Didier Deschamps, a winner and runner-up in his previous two World Cups. He may see Roberto Martinez. Or Ronald Koeman.

Southgate won’t be suffering from an inferiority complex, though. Nor should he be.

Because, as far-fetched as it sounds, Euro 2024 is England’s tournament to lose; Southgate will rub shoulders with his peers at today’s draw knowing it is his team the rest of Europe would rather dodge.

That isn’t wishful thinking or a warped nationalistic opinion borne out of our exposure to the Premier League – but simply because it’s the truth.

Ask England’s rivals about Harry Kane; the captain who has become the goalscoring toast of Bayern Munich.

Ask them about Jude Bellingham, the Stourbridge-born kid already at Galactico status with Real Madrid.

Ask them about Bukayo Saka; the Champions League’s leading goal contributor this season (three goals, four assists).

That’s before we’ve even mentioned Declan Rice, John Stones or Kyle Walker.

And, of course, there’s Southgate himself – the man ultimately responsible for finally providing the country with national team worthy of hope.

Relatable and engaging off the pitch; and a force to be reckoned with on it. England are in a sweet spot.

That comes with its own pressures. If England fail in Germany next summer; the dissenting voices who believe the team have achieved relative success in spite of Southgate will intensify.

Indeed, for the second tournament running, Southgate’s future will emerge as an intriguing sub-plot.

His contract expires next December, but falling short in Germany is likely to prompt an immediate exit.

That said, if England were to win their first trophy since 1966, surely Southgate will fancy another crack at the World Cup to complete the set.

The prospect of being crowned European champions in Berlin on July 14 will be Southgate’s only focus right now, of course.

And the 53-year-old will head into Euro 2024 safe in the knowledge that he has a group adept at overcoming the mental tribulations of tournament football.

England captain Harry Kane has seen history-making success in his first few months at Bayern

Jude Bellingham has fast become Real Madrid’s star player further to his summer transfer

Bukayo Saka is another boldface name amongst the top talent England’s squad has to offer

Kane’s 90th minute winner in Southgate’s first ever tournament match against Tunisia at World Cup 2018.

Also in Russia, the euphoric penalty shoot-out win over Colombia – England’s first in tournament football since 1996.

Then came the victory over arch-rivals Germany at Euro 2020, or falling behind a week later only to overcome Denmark in reaching the final.

All those shared experiences are invaluable, and something Southgate has placed particular value on.

So when the balls are picked and unscrewed on Saturday night, Southgate will look on knowing his players have already been through the worst of it.

All that’s left now is to win. Of course, that is biggest hurdle of all.

But depending on how Saturday’s draw transpires in terms of logistical and travel requirements for next summer, Southgate and his backroom team will leave no stone unturned in ensuring they create an environment to facilitate a successful tournament.

Southgate is prioritising a secluded location for England’s base in Germany, away from the hustle, bustle and temptation of big city locations.

Deciding on the lay-out and features of base camp is the easy part. Southgate knows what works and what doesn’t from the previous three tournaments.

Beyond the England branding and three lions glass frosting installed at their Souq Al-Wakra base in Qatar there were relaxation zones, meeting rooms, squad congregation areas to watch the tournament on TV – and not forgetting inflatable unicorns and basketball hoops.

Pertinently, families are set to be permitted into camp on specific days, usually 24 hours after matches.

While the thought of screeching children may not represent what many of us would consider optimal preparation for tournament football, Southgate believes letting the kids run riot for a few hours helps players unwind after the intensity of a match-day.

England in tournament mode is a well-oiled machine. No WAG circus, no Fabio Capello-style military camp but a meticulous balance Southgate has found successful.

But ultimately, Euro 2024 will be won or lost on the grass; by the players – of whom England have some of the very best world football has to offer.

England in tournament mode are a well-oiled machine – albeit one with inflatable crocodiles

Their facilities in Qatar were of the highest standard and provided an oasis amid the chaos

After three tournaments, Southgate understands what works in the set-up and what does not

‘It doesn’t matter, really (who England pull in the draw),’ said Southgate.

’There look like being really strong teams in pot two and pot three looks like it could be very strong.

‘We’ve just got to be ready for whatever comes our way.’

England are as ready as they’ve ever been.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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