Gareth Southgate names his initial 30-man England squad which he intends to take to Euro 2024 in Germany, as the tournament starts June 14.
This isn’t the final draft just yet, and there’s still time for some late decisions. As the England manager still has time to pick his final 26-man squad by midnight on June 7, after two friendlies against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland.
That will mean that four players from this squad won’t be making it to the Euros so these games are a final chance to prove themselves to Southgate.
There’s a feeling that this squad is a new sort of England as he moves away from the ‘favourite’ players that are usually picked. It’s certainly exiting to see the young lads part of this squad.
The question we will all be asking in the next few weeks is: Does he stick or twist?
Onto the squad…
(Players marked * are who we’ve chosen for the xGenius England Starting XI)
Goalkeepers
*Jordan Pickford: It was the clear choice as he’s had a decent season at Everton, but almost feels like a ‘best of the rest’ at the moment with Ramsdale not being favoured at Arsenal. Bring back the short back and stompin’.
Other players: Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders
*Kyle Walker: One of the best and the fastest full-back in the world right now, helping Manchester City win their fourth consecutive title. Another obvious choice for Southgate to include in the England squad.
*John Stones: Nailed on! Stones is bound to be starting for England, unless of course there are injuries between now and the start of the tournament.
*Harry Maguire: This was a pick that caused a bit of controversy in the newsroom, as there always is around Harry Maguire. We couldn’t decide between Maguire of Jarrad Branthwaite to stand next to Stones, so we put it down to a poll on X where our podcast listeners chose Maguire. Let’s not forget though, it’s a different Maguire in and England shirt.
*Luke Shaw: He is the undisputed first choice as there’s a lack of left-backs impressing at the moment. Maybe in this tournament we could see another goal from Shaw like the one he scored in the final against Italy in the last tournament.
Other players: Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Kieran Tripper
Midfielders
*Jude Bellingham: Southgate has to start Bellingham… there’s no doubt about that. He’s a young player that’s consistently impressing at Real Madrid, where you can find him almost everywhere on the pitch and you can even see him in the Champions League final.
*Declan Rice: Future captain of England? Well, he’s already captained a game for the Three Lions in Kane’s absence and he’s got all of the leadership and mental qualities that you look for in a skipper.
*Kobbie Mainoo: Kobbie has been impressing at Manchester United as he sits in more defensive role, much like Declan Rice. However, our tactics writer Aidan Smith believes that Adam Wharton provides a more balanced squad working with Bellingham and Rice.
Other players: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Adam Wharton
Attackers
The inevitable trio up front…
*Bukayo Saka: The most fouled player in the Premier League, and for good reason… He’s so good at getting past defenders and offers threat from assists and goals. It’s enough to worry the opposition that they resort to fouling Saka.
*Harry Kane: Captain, it’s non-negotiable. The scoring prowess that Kane offers around the box, forget that, outside the box too – This man can score anywhere. That’s not to mention his un-saveable spot-kicks consistently hitting the top corners. Any keeper’s nightmare, unless your name’s Hugo Lloris.
*Phil Foden: He is ONLY 23 and has already won six Premier League titles, the Chamions League, Club World Cup, UEFA Supercup, and the FA Cup twice. A natural-born winner which England need. It put’s Kane’s record to shame.
Other players: Jarrod Bowen, Jack Grealish, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
Players not included in the England squad (but perhaps should’ve been):
Eric Dier: This is one that we couldn’t really believe wasn’t included after the job that he’s been doing in Germany already for Bayern Munich.
Ben White: This is a player who England WILL miss, well and truly. A versatile defender who could play at either centre-back or right-back. However, he doesn’t want to play for England, or perhaps he just doesn’t want to play under Southgate?
Marcus Rashford: There’s a sense that this was a good decision from Southgate to leave Rashford out of the squad, as there’s huge competition in the wide forward position and squad depth is huge.
Ben Chilwell: He’s struggled with injuries a bit and didn’t look too convincing against Brazil, but left-back is a position that England haven’t got a huge amount of squad depth.
Jordan Henderson: What does he actually bring to the squad? And don’t say ‘personality’ or ‘character’.
Make sure you listen to our latest podcast, reacting to the England squad announcement!
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