EXCLUSIVE
Gerard Pique names England’s most important player and gives Euro 2024 prediction
Spain legend Gerard Pique believes England are in with a chance of winning Euro 2024.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona defender knows what it takes to lift the European Championship trophy after doing so with Spain in 2012.
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The 2010 World Cup winner may have retired from international football in 2018, but he is still fully invested in this summer's upcoming tournament.
And that includes knowing who will be England's key to success following his time watching one particular star play in LaLiga for Real Madrid.
Speaking to talkSPORT live from Mexico City at his seven-a-side tournament, the King League World Cup, Pique was asked if Bellingham is England's most important player this summer.
"I would say so, yeah," he said. "He's a great player.
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"I think that he had a great season at Real Madrid and his potential is incredible.
"He's very, very young and already [has] a lot of experience so he can do very, very well."
Bellingham, who has become a key player in Gareth Southgate's England side, made 41 appearances in his first season with Los Blancos, making 35 goal contributions.
As well as scooping up a LaLiga medal this season, he also has the chance to win the Champions League for the first time this weekend, live on talkSPORT.
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Bellingham isn't the only big name in the Three Lions' star-studded squad.
Bayern Munich and ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be representing them this summer, as well as Premier League golden boot runner-up, Chelsea's Cole Palmer (22 goals).
UEFA EURO 2024: Favourites, venues, teams, key players and prize money. All you need to know ahead of the European Championship in Germany
But does Pique think that England have what it takes to go one step further than Euro 2021 and lift the trophy for the first time?
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"Why not!" Pique said. "I think that France are maybe the favourites this year.
"But England are [up] there!"
Euro 2024 Odds (with talkSPORT BET)
To lift the trophy:
- England - 3/1
- France - 7/2
- Germany - 5/1
- Portugal - 8/1
- Spain - 9/1
- Italy - 18/1
- Netherlands - 18/1
- Belgium - 18/1
*odds subject to change
Unsure who to back? Take a spin on the Lucky Dip wheel and get a random team at 20/1 to win the tournament.
You could get England at a massive price! - spin here. 18+ gambleaware.org