Euro 2020 Quarterfinal Roundup: Chelsea going all the way

England versus Ukraine: Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Reece James

Boring, boring England just battered, battered Ukraine. There are plenty of reasons why that happened as it did that can’t be ignored, but they also can’t be used to dismiss that England will have one eye on a final regardless of how bad Denmark wants to change that.

Ukraine had nothing left in the tank after about 15 minutes. Their match against Sweden simply drained them. England was totally happy to let them have the ball as they regrouped into a defensive shape. As soon as Ukraine lost the ball, however, they were run over by a lightning England counter. Ukraine, too exhausted to keep up, couldn’t do much as England scored again and again.

Mason Mount returned to the side and faced some criticism by those that don’t understand the game well enough. No, he wasn’t an overly creative force but he never really is (at least not far enough into an attack that most pay attention). Instead, he used the skill set that kept him in Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side much of last season as the boo boys whined. Defensively, Mount is fantastic. His ability to press is nearly unrivaled. Much of what England was able to do came down to Mount popping up in the right place to regain or recycle the ball.

Ben Chilwell and Reece James didn’t feature as Gareth Southgate prefers other fullback options. While it makes little sense not to use fullbacks that just started and won a Champions League, it does make sense given their nearest centerback partners play for the same club. With little time to train internationally, it is a clever use of resources to pair teammates together. It stinks if you’re Chilwell or James, but it is understandable.

What did you make of this round of the Euros? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!