With Euro 2024 fast approaching, Gareth Southgate’s England squad is starting to take shape. Telegraph Sports assesses what the team would look like if it were chosen now:
Goalkeepers
Plays in the last game of the weekend thanks to some excellent work earlier this month. Fans at Newcastle shot themselves in the foot when they tried to trick the ex-Sunderland goalkeeper as it could bring out the best in him, just like when he helped rescue a point for Everton. Then he kept a clean sheet against Burnley.
The Newcastle goalkeeper is yet to return to the pitch before the end of the season, but there is a chance now that Sam Johnstone has gone under the knife and will miss the European Championship with an elbow injury. Pope is expected back later this month, which will give some time to prove his fitness before the tournament.
Has been linked with a move to Newcastle, who will be looking for a younger No. 2 keeper this summer, although there would be no guarantee of a regular starting place there with Pope fit again. Arsenal will rely on David Raya for the title fight. Even after the defeat at Aston Villa, the situation is unlikely to change. Ramsdale is still a good number three in the England squad for the European Championship, when it comes to maximum training and support of the other goalkeepers.
Defenders
Back on the bench this weekend after limping off during the international break against Brazil. His place in the squad will be strengthened provided he is fit, with Southgate twice bringing him out of international retirement to keep him committed to his plans. He is still among the best one-on-one right-backs and can play as a third centre-back, while Pep Guardiola has ‘inverted’ him to play in central midfield when Manchester City have the ball.
Also sidelined and missed the March internationals with a calf injury. His form dipped over the Christmas period but he is an important part of Southgate’s squad due to his ability to play on either flank and his set-piece threat. Occupying the reserve left-back slot frees up space elsewhere.
He missed the win over Luton but that was only as a precaution after returning to the starting line-up for the win at Crystal Palace last weekend after suffering an adductor problem playing for England against Belgium. Formed the core of Southgate’s defense for his most important victories. The question marks this season have been about his fitness, but he will be on the plane provided he remains injury free.
Played in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. The number of shots United are conceding in his face is hardly an advertisement for solid defending, but Southgate remained loyal to Maguire when he was booed by his own supporters, so it’s safe to say he will pursue his plans for Germany. The central defender has found his way back to Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, after appearing to leave the club in the summer.
Another currently recovering from injury, but when fit he is highly rated by Southgate for his cool performances at Crystal Palace, never seeming to get into trouble. He recently quoted Paolo Maldini when talking about staying under the radar: “Maldini said that if you have to make a tackle, you weren’t in the right position in the first place.”
There is one more central defender up for grabs and Konsa is making an excellent case for himself against Lewis Dunk, Fikayo Tomori or the versatile Levi Colwill. His clean sheet against Arsenal on Sunday is another example of how far he has come in recent seasons.
Ten Hag says his left-back will return to action before the end of the season and that would give Southgate a huge boost. Ben Chilwell has returned to action after injury, but he did not play well against Brazil before improving in the draw against Belgium. Trippier can cover on the left, but needs a specialist in that position.
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Midfield
Made his comeback from the bench against Crystal Palace, which ended in defeat. But it was a huge boost to see him on the field. It looked like it was Alexander-Arnold against Kalvin Phillips for the role alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, with the Liverpool player clearly distinguishing himself in recent months. Yes, he can also cover right-back, but it must be his ability to control games and his passing range that gets him into this team. He is making his comeback after a knee injury.
Seen at home on the international stage against Belgium, where he had the discipline to hold his position but could also carry the ball forward. He could be a straight replacement for Jordan Henderson, who boosted his European Championship chances with his move to Ajax, but missed the March internationals by a knock and is now expected to miss three club games. He is a leader off the field but Mainoo is giving Southgate a selection headache.
Judas Bellingham
La Liga’s top scorer and England player will pin their hopes on. During the final games of the season, all eyes will be on the Real Madrid star. If he stays fit, he will start for Southgate in an advanced role in midfield. Showed his class in the closing stages against Belgium when he saved a draw. One of the Real players who will play in the match against Mallorca between the Champions League matches against Manchester City.
Declan Rice
David Moyes recently suggested that the £105 million Arsenal paid in the summer would prove to be a bargain. It’s hard to disagree with him as Rice is such an important part of Arsenal’s title charge. He can control games and is a better player than at the last European Championship. Played both matches against Brazil and Belgium and the only question is who will be next to him on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen when the English tournament starts.
Forward
A brilliant goal against Real Madrid backed up his hat-trick to sink Aston Villa last week. It showed the devastating impact he can have on games. Now playing well enough to claim a starting place in Southgate’s team after having so much bad luck with England. An injury ruled him out of the last European Championship final against Italy and earlier in the tournament he was rested after being booked for suspension. It now appears he will start on the left side of the attack.
The heartbreak in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich was confirmed this week, but he showed his class against Arsenal in the Champions League. England had to play Brazil and Belgium without him and it makes a big difference not having the country’s most prolific goalscorer in the team. England will be holding their breath around the final weeks of the season and hoping there are no injury problems.
Certainly one of Southgate’s starters when the European Championships start. His direct run from the right will be a key part of England’s attack as they look to go one step further this time. He withdrew from the squad as a precaution to face Brazil and Belgium, and also missed the win in Luton for his club, but showed his importance against Manchester City and Brighton even if he failed to get a result against Villa.
Started against Real Madrid, which shows his status in the Manchester City team when he is on top form. He’s been in a slump since the incredible high of winning the Treble with Manchester City last season, but he can still make mistakes and set up defenders like no other. If he plays enough games, he should be on a plane to the European Championship.
Honest assessment of Spurs’ defeat at Newcastle last weekend. He admits he is not a lucky substitute, but his assist on the equalizer against Belgium shows how good he can be off the bench. After returning to the England team last year, his move to Tottenham worked perfectly. Only an injury threw a spanner in the works. But he has done enough to guarantee a place.
Compare the Chelsea striker’s cool results in the big moments of the 4-3 win over Manchester United with the work of Marcus Rashford when he came off the bench like fresh legs. Palmer has grabbed every opportunity since leaving Chelsea and has a place on the plane to Germany.
Another great performance against Tottenham this weekend. It could well be that Gordon, Conor Gallagher or Eberechi Eze take some sort of ‘wildcard’ spot in the squad. Gallagher is an excellent tourist and is playing well, while Eze has the X-factor he showed at Anfield, but Gordon played very well against Brazil and it was enough for Southgate to take another look against Belgium.
For starters, his penalty-taking ability may be needed in the knockout stages. He showed what a good penalty taker he is with the first equalizer against Belgium, which came on his first start in England. He has returned to the Brentford team as if he never left after serving a ban for breaching the betting rules.
His goal against Arsenal was another example of why two backup strikers should be brought in for Kane, who is guaranteed to start. Watkins deserves his place on merit and purely on the number of goals scored this season, even if it means missing out on a wide player like Jarrod Bowen. He scored another two against his former club Brentford this weekend.
