Walking out of Wembley after England's recent 3-1 victory over Italy, I couldn't help but feel that familiar mix of pride and apprehension that follows this team everywhere. As someone who's covered international football for over fifteen years, I've learned to read between the lines of these results - they're never just about the numbers on the scoreboard. That night, watching Jude Bellingham's masterclass performance and Harry Kane's clinical finishing, I found myself thinking about something quite different from formations and tactics. It was a quote from tennis champion Naomi Osaka that came to mind: "I am brimming with energy and excitement," she'd said about her own competitive journey. "This eagerness I feel is not just about the fight itself, but also about the culmination of my hard work and perseverance." That exact sentiment seems to be radiating from this England squad right now, and it's transforming how we should view their chances in the upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
What struck me most during that Italy match was the palpable shift in energy from previous Southgate eras. We're talking about a team that completed 87% of their passes in the final third - a significant improvement from their 78% average in last year's World Cup. But statistics only tell half the story. Watching Declan Rice dominate midfield battles while Phil Foden danced through Italian defenses, I saw players who've clearly internalized that same mindset Osaka described. They're not just showing up to play; they're showcasing years of development and what I believe is genuine belief in Southgate's evolving system. The way Bellingham celebrated his goal - that fierce, determined expression - reminded me of athletes who've reached that point where preparation meets opportunity. It's the kind of momentum that can carry a team through tough qualification groups, and frankly, it's been missing from England squads I've covered in the past.
Looking ahead to the crucial matches against Ukraine and Scotland, this psychological edge might prove more valuable than any tactical innovation. England have won their last four competitive matches by an aggregate score of 12-3, but what matters more is how they've managed these games. Against Italy, they maintained 62% possession while creating 18 scoring opportunities - numbers that would make any opponent nervous. I've been particularly impressed with how Southgate has balanced experience and youth. Seeing 19-year-old Jude Bellingham directing traffic while 31-year-old Harry Kane makes those intelligent runs creates what I'd call a perfect storm of fresh energy and seasoned wisdom. It's the football equivalent of having your cake and eating it too - something we haven't always been able to say about England teams.
The real test comes next month when they face Ukraine in Wroclaw. Having covered England's away games across Europe since 2010, I can tell you these Eastern European fixtures have traditionally been stumbling blocks. Remember that frustrating 0-0 draw in Montenegro back in 2011? Or the painful 2-1 loss to Croatia in 2006? This current squad feels different though. There's a resilience I haven't seen since maybe the 2018 World Cup run, but with better technical quality throughout the team. The midfield trio of Rice, Bellingham, and Henderson has developed what I'd estimate to be about 40% more understanding compared to six months ago - they're anticipating each other's movements in ways that can't be taught on the training ground.
What excites me most isn't just the results themselves, but the manner of these victories. England are playing what I'd call "brave football" - taking risks in possession, pressing higher up the pitch, and showing the kind of confidence we typically associate with clubs like Manchester City or Bayern Munich. They attempted 15 shots against Italy with 8 on target, numbers that would have been unthinkable during Hodgson's tenure. The transformation reminds me of watching a talented student finally understanding their potential - there's that moment when everything clicks, and I suspect we're witnessing something similar with this generation of English players.
As we approach the business end of qualification, sitting comfortably atop Group C with 12 points from 4 matches, I'm more optimistic than I've been in years. The Scotland match particularly interests me - not just because of the historic rivalry, but because it will test England's ability to handle intense pressure in a different way. Scotland's passionate support and physical approach will challenge this new-found confidence in ways that technical teams like Italy cannot. Having covered three previous England-Scotland encounters, I can tell you these matches often become about mentality as much as football quality.
Watching this England team evolve feels like witnessing the culmination of everything the FA has been building toward since their restructuring after Euro 2016. The integration of youth academy products with experienced campaigners, the development of a distinct playing philosophy, the growing confidence in big matches - it's all coming together at what appears to be the perfect time. While I normally maintain professional detachment, I'll admit this team has me more excited than any England side since the Golden Generation of the early 2000s. The difference is, this group seems to understand how to convert individual talent into collective strength in ways that previous squads never quite mastered. As we look toward the European Championship next summer, that combination of energy, excitement, and proven quality makes England genuine contenders in a way that feels both surprising and completely earned.