There are 27 days until the Three Lions embark on yet another international escapade with Gareth Southgate aiming to ascend himself into national folklore by winning Euro 2024. France and Germany hit the headlines last Thursday by announcing their provisional squads for the tournament and this week the media has built up to the England manager's initial squad selection. Today the 53 year old silenced the circle of rumours and predictions to confirm a 33-man squad which did not include a host of high profile names such as Jordan Henderson, Reece James and Marcus Rashford.
england 33-man squad -
goalkeepers:
Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford, Jordan Pickford
defenders:
Kerian Trippier, Luke Shaw, Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarrell Quansah, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold
midfielders:
Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Connor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo, James Maddison
forwards:
Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Antony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Jack Grealish
the future is the answer -
Southgate has been widely scrutinised during his eight year England reign for his risk-averse and cautious approach, often meriting experience over current form and quality. His recent belief in dwindling midfield duo Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson who have both endured problematic campaigns has mustered impatience from England supporters who have been eager to freshen the squad.
The 45-time capped former England defender has been radical in his selection for Euro 2024, selecting three uncapped starlets in Adam Wharton, Jarrell Quansah and Curtis Jones.
Considering how rich England's midfield options are it is very surprising that Southgate has called up Liverpool playmaker Curtis Jones. The number 17 has been plagued with a persistent ankle injury this season which has disrupted his momentum. Since, suffering an recurred ankle sprain in early February at Brentford the 23 year old lost his place in Jurgen Klopp's side to the emerging Harvey Elliott and has struggled to re-discover his form.
Meanwhile, in defence their is no place for recently re-called Eric Dier, Fikayo Tomori or promising Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill. The inclusion of Jarrell Quansah is expected to progress no further than the preliminary stages of Southgate's squad, but is still a huge opportunity for the 21 year old.
One of Klopp's final young prodigies before his departures, the centre-back has started four of Liverpool's last five league games and has very attractive traits; capable of playing out from the back with speed and composed on the ball.
This squad signals a change in the England managers strategy, he is aware of the pressure to deliver in his fourth major tournament and has finally decided to take on board what England fans want... change.
Kobbie Mainoo had to be on the plane to Germany this summer after his breakthrough season in a double pivot for Manchester United where he has provided Erik Ten Hag with speed, dynamism and energy.
A shining talent who has gone under the radar compared to his compatriot is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Joining the Eagles in January from Championship Blackburn Rovers, he has been the catalyst to build around for Oliver Glasner since his arrival.
His emergence appeared too late to make a late entry into contention for Euro 2024, especially given Southgate's previous slow approach to new players but finally England fans will be able to see the 20 year old make his international debut on potentially the biggest stage of all.
room for two on the plane:
An over-reliance on Three Lions captain Harry Kane, who is the nations all-time leading goal scorer with 62 goals, prompted a heated debate over who should deputise as number one in his absence.
Despite, his eight month betting ban Ivan Toney made an immediate return to the England squad for the March friendlies. The Brentford striker has underwhelmed since his long-anticipated return to football in the new year scoring only four goals in 17 matches.
However, while his rival Ollie Watkins has challenged Erling Haaland for the golden boot after a sensational prolific season making 32 goal contributions for Aston Villa Toney is still preferred for England by much of the country.
The 29 year old is seen as a like-for-like replacement to Harry Kane as a target man who is physical and has aerial prowess. While, Watkins is much more versatile capable of playing out wide or through the middle and he brings more of an attacking threat with his pace and willingness to run in behind.
As expected the increased squad size for Euro 2024, means Watkins and Toney have been chosen to offer different things and the debate is most likely to never be needed with Harry Kane guaranteed to lead the line.
It is incredible for Watkins who at the Qatar World Cup suffered heartbreak at the final hurdle suffering elimination from Southgate's final 24-man squad. The 28 year old deserves his inclusion, there are few players who show the hunger and desire on the pitch like him and he has been so sharp in front of goal this season.
attacking gold:
Gareth Southgate has an armoury of attackers at his disposal for Euro 2024, which has made it so difficult to narrow it down. Chelsea golden boy Cole Palmer single-handily forced his way into the England squad for this summer after making 33 goal contributions in 34 league matches.
Many fans believed the 22 year old did not fit into Southgate's system ahead of Player of the season Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka and despite his breakthrough as Chelsea's talisman this season he is untested in a Three Lions shirt.
Antony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen have both had resurgent seasons for Newcastle and West Ham. Gordon received his international debut during the March Friendlies and has since capped the season off with five assists and two goals in his last eight games.
The decline of England's winger options has boosted the chances for both Gordon and Bowen, with Jack Grealish struggling to break-in to Pep Guardiola's starting eleven and both Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling's absence from their best selves.
Grealish appears to have reached a cross-roads in his Manchester City career, where his development has gone backwards this season. He was one of the maverick creators England fans used to crave at Euro 2020, but recently he's disappointed in an England shirt where he has lost his star ability of running at defences and making something happen.
The biggest question is when Southgate narrows his squad to 26, does he keep Maddison, Grealish, Palmer and Eze who are all very similar creative players and who does he keep out.
which players do you think will not make the final 26?
Written by Lewis Eadie
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