Euro 2016 Q&A: Boy Jumps Ship liken Dele Alli to Paul Gascoigne, but tip Germany to win

The 2016 European Championships are very much underway and it has been addictive television viewing ever since France’s opening 2-1 victory over Romania in Paris last Friday night.

But with home nation trio; England, Wales and Northern Ireland all recording wins in their respective groups, plus neighbours the Republic of Ireland in action this summer too, Shoot decided to get some tournament tips and predictions from famous musicians.

Today’s feature is from Boy Jumps Ship; who released their debut album ‘Wake Up’ on April 22, and they had high praise for Tottenham and Three Lions star Dele Alli…

Boy Jumps Ship

How far do you think England can go at Euro 2016?

“It’s hard to say. I think we can definitely get past the group stages, but we have a really young team and it’s all about their development and getting a taste of the big tournaments from this time around.”

Which English player are you most excited to see at this summer’s tournament?

“For me it’s Dele Alli, he has been awesome this year. I think he’s the best all round young player we have coming through, he has that ‘Gazza’ [Paul Gascoigne] quality about him.”

How much of an impact do you think the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Alli can have for the Three Lions given their impressive Premier League campaigns?

“Yeah, a great impact. It’s always difficult to take that standard of performance up to international level, but I think those players in particular are all pretty fearless and I don’t think they will be phased by that bigger stage.”

Should Wayne Rooney start for England?

“One-hundred per cent! I don’t think you can ever leave him out, even if you have to play him in midfield. He is such a talent.

“Personally, I think he gets way too much criticism and expectation laid at his feet. I could really see him playing in that ‘Scholes Role’ in midfield moving forward.”

Which player, who missed out on the 23-man squad, would you like to have been included in England’s Euro 2016 squad this summer?

“That’s a tough one, even though I’m a Newcastle United fan, I have to say Jermain Defoe.

“I can see Roy’s [Hodgson] logic in giving Marcus Rashford a chance in the bigger squad and giving him a taste for a big tournament moving forward.

The band thought Sunderland’s top goalscorer Defoe was unlucky to miss out on EURO 2016 – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

“But I just think Defoe is the type of player you can bring on and he can change the game and nab you that all important goal, he only needs one chance!”

Do any of the other home nations (Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) have a hope of progressing to the latter stages?

“I think Wales particularly have done really well, but I feel they may fall just a little bit short with the lack of depth in their squad.”

Who do you think will win the Euros?

“I’d like to say Spain, they just have so many quality players and such a good spine of players that are used to playing together. But you can never rule out the Germans, they will probably nab it.”

Who are you expecting to be the player of the tournament?

“Eden Hazard, he is in the shop window this summer and a great performance will secure a big money move for him.”

Which player do you think could emerge as a young star?

“I would say Alli really has the potential to do that, but there is always somebody that comes out of nowhere and really takes you by surprise at these major tournaments.”

Who do you think will be the top scorer at the Euros?

“Thomas Muller, the guy just keeps popping up and scoring, he’s a real dark horse.

“But if we are going on stats, then I’m going to go out and choose Cristiano Ronaldo – goal machine.”

Details:

Website: boyjumpsship.com
Twitter: @BoyJumpsShip

Listen to Boy Jumps Ship’s latest single, ‘Lost & Found’…