We are exactly a week away before Gareth Southgate announces his England 26-man squad for the 2024 European Championships. The is a huge array of talented players to pick from, and there is no doubt that many of those will be giving the manager a selection headache.
As always Southgate seems to go for his favourites approach, where he focuses too much on the past and not the future, so it’s time to decide who should make the squad.
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Pope, Trafford,
The Everton and Newcastle goalkeepers have nailed down their place in Germany, however, there isn’t much competition as to who should be the third-choice keeper for England.
Even though Burnley is relegated, it may not be a bad idea for Southgate to have a look at another look at the 21-year-old.
Trafford and Pickford are currently in the top 20 for the most saves in the Premier League this season.
Pickford is seventh with 117.
Trafford is 11th, with 106.
But it wouldn’t surprise many if either Aaron Ramsdale, Jack Butland, or Sam Johnstone were picked as the third-choice keeper.
Right Backs: Walker, White, Trippier,
We were almost tempted to go for Reece James over the Magpies’ right back, but as the Chelsea Captain has had an injury-prone season, it would be a big risk to take him to the Euros.
Nevertheless, Trippier and Walker are two of England’s most experienced right-backs, so it’s crucial that at least one of them starts.
Manchester City’s right-back is 33 years old, however, his record against world-class wingers i.e. Vinicius Junior is quite impressive.
He also kept Kylian Mbappé at bay in the World Cup semi-final in Al Khor, Qatar.
Walker has made 45 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City.
146 recovery challenges this season proves how easily he can maintain those levels of fitness throughout a season, and how swiftly he can track the run of a winger.
Meanwhile, the Newcastle wingback is so versatile that he can also play at Left Back if required.
Trippier is joint second alongside Palmer, Salah, Gordon, Gibbs-White, De Bruyne, and Pascal Groß for the most assists (10) this season, and could have a big part in playing in the Euros.
But given how good Arsenal’s defence has been, White surely has to be in the starting XI in some capacity.
Former England and Manchester United Right-back Gary Neville had made an interesting comparison between the 26-year-old, and Chelsea legend Branislav Ivanovic.
“I wasn’t sure about him, I’ll be honest,” “Is he half a right-back and half a centre-back? “He’s developed into a really, really good right-back. I think of him now in the same quality this season, as [Branislav] Ivanovic and [Cesar] Azpilicueta for Chelsea for many years in that position.
Neville: Mirror
What is great about England’s defenders, is how versatile they are, for example, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who plays as a right back for Liverpool, isn’t the best when it comes to one on one defending, but his attacking attributes are what gets him out of trouble.
But coming to the Arsenal defender, it would be a shocker, if Southgate doesn’t have him in the starting XI let alone the squad.
Left Back: Shaw, Burn, Gomez,
This position is where the team looks a little fragile.
The Manchester United full-back has had a difficult season due to injuries, but if he is fit, his experience will be needed for this tournament.
However, if England want to look at the future or other options, perhaps it’s time for Southgate to invest in the 32-year-old.
Burn is ninth on the list of aerial battles won in the Premier League.
He is also sixth on the list of England defenders, with the most headed clearances.
Not to forget being fourth on the list of tackles by an England defender.
Having been injury-prone for the past two seasons, the Liverpool defender has played his way into contention to be on the plane for the Euros.
Since his International debut in 2017, Gomez has made just 13 caps for the nation.
The 26-year-old was awarded Man Of the Match in England’s friendly against Brazil, for his performance against Neymar.
He may not start at the Euros, but he could be a useful substitution to bring on if England are defending a lead late on in the game.
Centre Back: Stones, Maguire, Branthwaite, Tarkowski,
Manchester City’s centre half is a nailed-on starter for England at the Championships.
The question is, will the Manager persist with the injured United defender?
If not, perhaps he should look at the future, and how good the Toffees’ centre-backs have been this year.
Tarkowski has made 54 blocks this season, which is the most by any defender, in a single season in the Premier League.
According to the Guardian, Tarkowski would be in the starting XI for England, in terms of form in 2024.
Why not give the guy a chance?
As for his partner, although Branthwaite was called up for the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, he was an unused substitute in both games.
What was the point of the Manager calling him up then? To please Toffees fans?
The 21-year-old is seventh on the list for the most tackles, and sixth for the number of blocks in the Premier League.
The fact that Pickford is fourth on the list of the most clean sheets shows how impressive Branthwaite and Tarkowski have been as a pair.
It would be hugely surprising if both were not in the squad for the upcoming tournament.
Midfield: Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Mainoo, Maddison, Bellingham
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham have nailed down a place in England’s midfield.
But the question is who plays either side of them?
If Southgate wants more creativity, perhaps the Tottenham and Liverpool duo could be useful.
Maddson is joint seventh on the list of assists by England Midfielders this season.
Alexander-Arnold plays as a right-back for Liverpool, but we know his wand of a right foot can be handy for unlocking tight defences.
Along with Walker and White, they are joint second in the number of assists by full-backs.
But as Southgate prefers playing in midfield, perhaps he could turn out to be the ‘English De Bruyne’.
If the team wants more energy in Midfield, perhaps it is worth trying the United and Chelsea combo.
In a disappointing season for both clubs, the duo and Cole Palmer have been the shining lights of the season.
Gallagher is the Blues’ second-highest assist maker with nine.
Mainoo by far, has been United’s best player, in a disappointing season for the Red Devils.
What has been so impressive about 19-year old this season, is his game awareness.
Whether it’s for an attacking or defensive purpose, he has the potential of being a world-class Midfielder. Can he prove it on one of the biggest stages in football?
Forwards: Kane, Watkins, Saka, Foden, Palmer,
Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden were impressive in the past two tournaments, but the inclusion of the Aston Villa talisman and Chelsea star brings some dynamism to England’s attack.
Palmer is the Premier League’s second-highest goalscorer with 22 goals, behind Erling Haaland, who has 27.
Watkins is joint fourth alongside Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, with 19 goals.
Despite failing to win a trophy in his first season at Bayern Munich, the England Captain is the Bundesliga’s top score with 36 goals.
Kane will receive the Kicker-Torjagerkanone, which is the equivalent of the Premier League’s Golden Boot award.
He will be hoping to be amongst the goals at Euro 2024.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
