Euro 2016: I genuinely believe this could be the year when we win it, says Jimmy Bullard

In his first column for Euro 2016, Jimmy Bullard reveals that Roy Hodgson's England squad has him more excited for the tournament than ever before

England celebrate after Chris Smalling scores the match-winning goal against Portugal (Getty)

It all starts next week and I’m absolutely buzzing! Not just because there is a month of non-stop footie action, but because I have never been more excited about an England team at a major tournament – probably in my lifetime!

We’ve got a young, hungry, side that will head over to France with absolutely no fear whatsoever! After years of false dawns I genuinely feel like this could be our year.

Big Roy has picked the squad on merit, which is exactly how it should be – the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Eric Dier excite me so much. I’m also really delighted Marcus Rashford is on the plane because he fully deserves it. His form has been bang on towards the end of last season and it gives a message to other young players that they can do exactly the same in future. I don’t necessarily think he’ll start when you already have the likes of Wayne Rooney, Kane and Vardy, but what a player to be able to bring on – he has power, energy and bags of pace that can definitely change a game.

I feel for both Danny Drinkwater and Andros Townsend. Drinkwater has been superb for Leicester this season and I feel like he did enough to be on the plane. Townsend isn’t afraid to beat players and I just feel like we could now be a bit short if Sterling gets injured. I love Jack Wilshire and think he is a wonderful footballer, but fitness could be a slight issue.

We’ve got a young side who will go at it from the off but if we can be patient on the ball and remain calm in possession, I genuinely think we will cause teams major problems and will be the team to beat in the competition.

I love everything about tournament football – the unpredictability of it, seeing everyone get behind the nation and watching all of the action with my mates. It really is going to be a great summer of action.

As part of my weekly column I am going to give you my Inch defining moment of the week. This week it has to be poor Juanfran’s penalty miss in the Champions League final – I feel for the poor lad hitting the post, but he and Atletico will be back!

Jimmy Bullard has teamed up with Carling as part of their Pay Per Inch promotion, giving you a chance to win a brand new TV for the price of its screen size. Visit www.PayPerInchTV.com or follow @Carling on Twitter for more information.