Theo Walcott is confident England will mount a
strong challenge for the European Championship
title after becoming the first nation to qualify for next
summer's finals.
Roy Hodgson's men have responded impressively to
last year's disappointing World Cup, winning all
seven of their qualifying matches during a long,
unbeaten run.
Saturday's 6-0 triumph in San Marino continued that
fine run and those three points were enough to
secure the Three Lions' place at the finals with three
matches to spare.
England have caught the eye at times during the
qualification campaign and, while accepting
improvements still need to be made, Walcott
believes next summer could be a tournament to
remember.
"I think this team is getting better and better, and
that's what we want to do going into the tournament
next year," he said after coming off the bench to net
a quick-fire brace in Serravalle.
"We've gone a long way towards that, so I am sure
things are going to improve.
"There are big tests for us, but I believe in that
dressing room and just the way we are playing as
well.
"We are playing in the best league in the world, we're
improving every day, the players are playing at the
top of their game.
"It'll definitely be a big achievement if we can go far.
I am sure that we can. The manager has got that in
our system, that he believes in us.
"The belief is there, the confidence is there, so why
not?"
England have lined up some high-profile friendlies to
aid their Euro 2016 preparation after completing the
qualification programme.
Estonia and Lithuania await next month, but first up
is Tuesday's home tie with Switzerland - a match
which will again see the focus fall on Wayne Rooney.
The 29-year-old wrote his name into the record
books in San Marino, where wife Coleen and son Kai
saw him draw level with Sir Bobby Charlton as
England's all-time top scorer.
Rooney's surprisingly early withdrawal meant he was
unable to usurp the Manchester United great,
meaning the record-breaking 50th goal could instead
arrive at Wembley this week.
"What can you say? Wayne has been doing it for
years," Walcott said. "It just shows how established
he is as an England international and a Manchester
United player.
"He is so good in that dressing room, he is a winner.
In training, he always wants to win - never wants to
lose.
"He just wants to improve and improve this team. He
has that belief in this dressing room that this young
talent can actually go on and do something special
and I believe that too."
strong challenge for the European Championship
title after becoming the first nation to qualify for next
summer's finals.
Roy Hodgson's men have responded impressively to
last year's disappointing World Cup, winning all
seven of their qualifying matches during a long,
unbeaten run.
Saturday's 6-0 triumph in San Marino continued that
fine run and those three points were enough to
secure the Three Lions' place at the finals with three
matches to spare.
England have caught the eye at times during the
qualification campaign and, while accepting
improvements still need to be made, Walcott
believes next summer could be a tournament to
remember.
"I think this team is getting better and better, and
that's what we want to do going into the tournament
next year," he said after coming off the bench to net
a quick-fire brace in Serravalle.
"We've gone a long way towards that, so I am sure
things are going to improve.
"There are big tests for us, but I believe in that
dressing room and just the way we are playing as
well.
"We are playing in the best league in the world, we're
improving every day, the players are playing at the
top of their game.
"It'll definitely be a big achievement if we can go far.
I am sure that we can. The manager has got that in
our system, that he believes in us.
"The belief is there, the confidence is there, so why
not?"
England have lined up some high-profile friendlies to
aid their Euro 2016 preparation after completing the
qualification programme.
Estonia and Lithuania await next month, but first up
is Tuesday's home tie with Switzerland - a match
which will again see the focus fall on Wayne Rooney.
The 29-year-old wrote his name into the record
books in San Marino, where wife Coleen and son Kai
saw him draw level with Sir Bobby Charlton as
England's all-time top scorer.
Rooney's surprisingly early withdrawal meant he was
unable to usurp the Manchester United great,
meaning the record-breaking 50th goal could instead
arrive at Wembley this week.
"What can you say? Wayne has been doing it for
years," Walcott said. "It just shows how established
he is as an England international and a Manchester
United player.
"He is so good in that dressing room, he is a winner.
In training, he always wants to win - never wants to
lose.
"He just wants to improve and improve this team. He
has that belief in this dressing room that this young
talent can actually go on and do something special
and I believe that too."
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