On the eve of Euro 2020, I take a look at what this tournament could mean both in terms of on and off the pitch for the nation.
On the pitch, I have some concerns. Recent England performances have hardly been inspiring, and opening up against the same Croatia side that knocked us out of the 2018 World Cup, means we could be on the back foot by the time we face Scotland in the second game.
Having said that, with the tournament set up, and Scotland and Czech Republic making up the rest of the group, it's hard not to see England progressing to the next stage, especially when considering the attacking talents in the squad.
One player I think could be key for England, is Jack Grealish. His propensity to draw fouls could be key for England.
You saw in 2018 how set pieces were a vital part of the game-plan, and we all have fond memories of the "love-train" and its effectiveness from corners and free-kicks, and their is some serious talent in terms of dead ball delivery within the squad.
Under Southgate, England have seemingly gone from the team we all fell in love with in 2018, to one which seems to fail to generate that excitement once again, with seemingly safe choices being made and a growing number of comments of discontent from fans.
With teams such as France, Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Germany and Portugal in the tournament its difficult to see England getting to a similar stage as they did in the World Cup, but that's no disaster.
Whilst I have some concerns over Southgate as a football coach, and a tactician. His latest article on the brilliant Players Tribune shows that as a leader, and a manager of young men, there is no finer choice for this squad.
I'm sure you'll have read the article by now, but if not, go and read it. I can't do it justice. It truly is brilliant.
For me, the greatest tournaments have all involved good times with friends and family. Whether its watching the game in a pub, nervously expecting a phone call from the wife to say she had gone into labour (2016 - the phone call never came.... I had to endure the Iceland game), whether its a BBQ for friends as your parents are away (2002), whether its standing outside the bookies whilst your dad puts £1 on Alan Shearer to score first, before walking to the pub to watch the game (as well as being jealous of your dad going to the Holland game without you in 96), or the general limbs scene across the pubs/fan parks across the country in 2018.
And that's my hope for Euro 2020, staged in 2021... That we can see those sorts of scenes once again and with lockdown restrictions easing, hopefully we can all create those memories, which we all hold dear with the football being central to them.
In 2018, it was widely regarded that Football came home once again.... hopefully this year, football can bring us home again