Former Leicester City, Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey talks exclusively to 888Sport about England’s Euro 2024 campaign and shares his views on the current teams performances and who he thinks will win Euro 2024.
Heskey also played for Birmingham, Bolton and Wigan and shares an update on each teams plans ahead of the new season.
Emile Heskey on Jude Bellingham’s equaliser for England against Slovakia and was it up there with England’s most important goals
It’s up there for sure. Given the nature of the timing of the goal, that it was in injury time of a knock out round of a major competition. It’s a massive goal and the pressure as well with
England on the verge of defeat. But, I played in the game against Greece where Beckham scored his special free-kick so I would say it’s not better than that one.. But runs it very close.
Emile Heskey on England’s performances so far at Euro 2024
England have been playing the same way for a while so it’s no different to any other game they have played really.
The build-up must be quicker, we need more energy on the pitch to progress through the lines and the balance must be better on the left and have more attacking players on the pitch to score goals.
They aren’t setting the world alight. They play a certain way and that isn’t going to change. They need to play more on the front foot, try and get more attacking players on the pitch as we have so much talent.
Emile Heskey on why England have struggled to perform well
The expectation is so high now. Semi-finals and a final in the last two tournaments, the expectation is for England to win well.
With Foden, Kane, Bellingham and Saka, you have players who have had great domestic seasons, but it hasn’t fully clicked. You have a brilliant moment from Bellingham and hopefully more to come.
Emile Heskey on if Jude Bellingham shows arrogance
Jude has a just do attitude on the pitch. It’s a case of don’t over think it on the pitch and he has confidence he can do great things.
It’s not arrogance at all, it’s a belief in himself and what he can do on the pitch. It’s a case of I’m going to be than man on the pitch to deliver. He is young and you need the belief in yourself to deliver and that’s exactly what he did.
Emile Heskey on Who will be the key man for the rest of tournament
I think the subs can be the difference makers. Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, the attacking players can be the ones who make the difference.
With Harry Kane starting, Toney and Watkins offer something different and in a tight game, these two and Palmer will give England’s opponents something different to worry about. So let’s hope they can make the difference.
Emile Heskey on criticism on the England players from former players
Critics will be critics. It’s what they are paid to do, so they have to give their opinion. They’ve played the game so they are entitled to their opinion.
The toughest job is being on the touchline and for me the subs are being brought on a little too late. You see what Ivan Toney did when he came on. A little earlier and it could have been even better.
Emile Heskey on who he thinks will win Euro 2024
I said it at the start and I went with France so I will stick with them . Defensively they are rock solid and in Mbappe have the best player to win them the games.
Emile Heskey on his former Club Bolton’s chances of promotion next season
This needs to be the year that Bolton go up! Looking at Ian Evatt, he has done a great job at Bolton. He has got them playing attractive football and you look at the position he inherited the club at, he has turned the Club around and now in a position to really press on and get promoted this year.
Yes, the pressure will be on, but they play good football which can win them games. It’s a huge club, the local area thrives on the club doing well and Evatt can be the main to get Bolton back to the Championship.
Emile Heskey on what has gone wrong at his former Club Birmingham City
There are a number of reasons why this has happened. The infrastructure of the club hasn’t been right for a while now, recruitment hasn’t been good either.
Birmingham City have become a selling club over the years, so the good players you have then get sold and not replaced. You need stability now, with a clear philosophy of the way you want the club to be on and off the pitch.
They have had a number of bad transfer windows which then causes set backs. Let’s hope that now they can show stability and progress forward.
Emile Heskey on his former team Wigan’s chance of promotion next season
Shaun has done an exceptional job at Wigan. He has stabilised the Club and having played for them, he knows how much it means to local people in Wigan.
Looking at next season it can still be a tough one for the club, an outside chance of promotion is possible, but the club must stabilise itself and then look to have good young players at its core to then be able to compete and look to get promoted.
Emile Heskey on if PSR (profit and sustainability rules) in football is fit for purpose?
No. There needs to be some control, but it needs to be a level playing field for all. All the clubs need to get together and agree on the right control which is needed for spending and living within your means as a club.
The Top clubs with huge commercial revenue and income have an advantage for sure. You see the clubs which have had points deductions, it’s so difficult for them and we need a solution that ensures we don’t have ongoing points deductions and a process which works for all clubs.
Emile Heskey on Marc Guehi’s performances and would he be a good signing for Liverpool?
He has looked so composed and assured. I’ve been very impressed with him and he’s been one of England’s best players of the tournament so far. He has been solid in every game and formed an excellent partnership with John Stones at centre back.
Not playing a competitive game for England before at a major tournament, you have to say Guehi has been mightily impressive with the calmness he has shown throughout each game so far in the tournament.
He would be superb alongside Van Dijk. There is no better centre back to learn from than him and it would take his game to the next level. Guehi has been so comfortable brining the ball out from defence, he has good pace as well, so this would work well at Liverpool should it happen.
Emile Heskey on Dewsbury-Hall leaving Leicester to join Chelsea and how big a blow is that to Steve Cooper
This is a massive blow to Leicester and Steve Cooper. A superb young talent, come through the ranks and outstanding last season. He is going to be sorely missed by the club and the fans and the new manager is so unlucky not to work with such a superb player.
He was establishing himself as one of Leicester’s top players and it’s a huge shame he has gone to Chelsea. The balance he gives the team, the strength and power likewise through the midfield and an eye for goal too.
Leicester can’t afford to lose anyone else as they look forward to the Premier League again. It’s going to be tough as it is, and Leicester City need big additions to come in. Recruitment has to be right and has to be quick as Leicester can’t afford to start the season slow.
With a good home crowd, the home form is going to be important, and recruitment of good young and hungry players is key. For Steve Cooper, he has good potential and has experience coaching young players, so this may be a route the recruitment goes down.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
