With Euro 2024 fast approaching, Gareth Southgate’s England squad is starting to take shape. Ahead of the matches against Brazil and Belgium, Telegraph Sport assesses what the squad would look like if it were chosen now:
Goalkeepers
He was involved in a relegation battle at Everton, but his place as Southgate’s No. 1 comes despite the recent form he established at the World Cup six years ago. It is inconceivable that England is not the first choice at the European Championship.
Roy Hodgson has two English goalkeepers at his disposal this season, with Sam Johnstone and Dean Henderson battling it out at Crystal Palace. Johnstone did enough to win his place back in Southgate’s squad, but also missed games due to injury. He played Palace’s last four games.
Had Nick Pope been fit, this would have been a dilemma for Southgate. Ramsdale is an excellent team member, he trains hard and supports his fellow goalkeepers. Although he is the perfect goalkeeper for the 23, he does not play regularly for Arsenal and hardly justifies his place in terms of form.
Defenders
Southgate has brought Walker out of international retirement twice, such is his importance 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.
Was removed from the selection in November for personal reasons and will miss the March selection due to an 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 – given Luke Shaw’s injury – and his set-piece threat.
The Manchester City centre-back was at the heart of Southgate’s defense during his most important victories. The question this season was about his fitness, but he has made 22 club appearances and will be on the plane provided he remains injury free.
Southgate remained loyal to Maguire when he was jeered by his own supporters, so it’s safe to say he will continue to follow through on his plans for Germany. The Manchester United central defender has returned to Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, after appearing to leave the club in the summer.
Currently recovering from injury, but when fit he is highly rated by Southgate for his cool performances at Palace, where he never seems to succeed.
getting in 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 centre-back up for grabs and Konsa is making an excellent case for himself, ahead of Lewis Dunk, Fikayo Tomori or the versatile Levi Colwill. Konsa recently suffered a knee injury, but has been included for the doubles match between Brazil and Belgium.
Returned to action against Leicester this weekend and plays an important role for Southgate as the only recognized left-back currently available. Shaw should return at the end of the season, but he can’t be counted on. Trippier can cover on the left, but needs a specialist in that position.
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Midfield
It looked like it was Trent 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.
Jordan Henderson
A move to Ajax has cemented his place in the English side and he is expected to be on a plane to Germany. His leadership is very important for the team’s dynamics and he is now playing at a better level than during his ill-fated spell in Saudi Arabia.
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.
Declan Rice
David Moyes recently suggested that the £105 million Arsenal pay in the summer will 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.
Forward
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.
Harry Kane
When he was injured last weekend, the English fans held their breath. The injury risks for the country’s most prolific goalscorer will prove problematic in the final weeks of the season.
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 has had a dip in form and injuries since winning the Treble last season, but he can still make mistakes and bind defenders with his dribbling. If he plays enough, he should be on the plane to the European Championship.
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, including going to the World Cup and fighting his way back from injury during the tournament.
He was in poor form earlier this season but has bounced back in recent weeks and his experience at this level sees him included.
It could well be that Conor Gallagher occupies something of a ‘wildcard’ spot in midfield. Gallagher is an excellent tourist and plays well. However, Eze has the X-factor that can turn a game off the bench.
For starters, his penalty-taking ability may be needed in the knockout stages. He has returned to the Brentford team as if he never left after serving a ban for breaching the betting rules.
Two backup strikers for Kane, who is guaranteed to start, may seem too much. But Watkins deserves his place because of his merit and the number of goals he has scored this season, even if it means a wide player like Jarrod Bowen misses the ball.
