England will be aiming to do one better than the last European Championship, when they reached the final and lost on penalties.
Gareth Southgate has trimmed his 33-man training squad ahead of Friday midnight’s deadline and will now step up final preparations for Euro 2024 with a friendly against Iceland.
James Maddison and Curtis Jones were the first to hear the bad news, while Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, Jarrell Quansah, James Trafford and Jarrad Branthwaite were also missing.
This is our opinion on the final selection:
Goalkeepers
Caps: 61
His kick will spark attacks for Southgate, taking the ball from his own six-yard area with a precise pass into midfield. Formally speaking, an excellent final part of the season.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: Four
He is not playing for Arsenal, with just one Premier League game since Christmas, but he is a valuable member of the goalkeeping department because of his relationships with other goalkeepers and training standards.
Importance to Southgate: 2/5
Caps: A
Back in the Palace team after Sam Johnstone’s injury and part of their stunning end to the season: clean sheets in wins over Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa. He won his only cap more than three years ago.
Importance to Southgate: 1/5
Defenders
Caps: 82
This season he won the Premier League and his performances in the key games of the season show that at 34 he is still at the top of his game and has the pace to play up front in one-on-one situations.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: 47
Can play as a left back, which will be important given the injury problems in that area. He came back after being sidelined himself and had a dip in form earlier in the campaign, but is still an important senior player.
Importance to Southgate: 4/5
Caps: Three
His form before Villa reached the Champions League was excellent as a centre-back, but he also showed in his three England caps that he can play in either position as a full-back. Calm defender who provides good cover.
Importance to Southgate: 3/5
Caps: 71
Has played at the heart of defense during England’s best days under Southgate and will be a starter, fitness permitting. Not in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up for the final six games of the season before returning for the FA Cup final.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: 10
Will replace Harry Maguire and timed his own return from injury just right. He scored a 5–0 win over Villa, which was his first start since his knee problem, after coming off the bench in wins over Manchester United and Wolves. Rusty against Bosnia, but will get better with games.
Importance to Southgate: 3/5
Caps: 14
Made the emotional return to St George’s Park in March, four years after suffering a serious knee injury on those pitches. Can play across the backline, which gives Southgate an option given his injuries.
Importance to Southgate: 3/5
Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Caps: 31
Southgate’s left-back has not played for England all season and has been out since February with a hamstring injury. The recent setback meant no action was taken at the end of the season and his inclusion in the squad shows just how important he is.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: Six
Has developed his game since the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi as manager, even though it stalled under the Italian for Brighton. Dunk’s caps this season come five years after his last appearance, in 2018.
Importance to Southgate: 2/5
Midfielders
Caps: 24
Back to his best before the end of the season after injury. Yes, he can also cover at right-back, but it must be his ability to control games and his passing range that gets him into this team, plus a goal threat like his volley against Bosnia.
Importance to Southgate: 4/5
Caps: Two
Followed by his man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup final, where he scored the decisive goal. Watched at home on the international stage against Belgium – and looked physically developed. He’s a wildcard pick, but what a talent.
Importance to Southgate: 3/5
Caps: 50
David Moyes recently suggested that the £105 million Arsenal paid in the summer would prove to be a bargain. Rice plays such an important role for club and country. He protects his defense but breaks forward and sets the pace of the game.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: A
Wonderful first week in the England camp – did enough in training and in the cameo against Bosnia to get on the plane. Played for Blackburn until the January transfer window, but feels at home on the big stage with his wide passing from central midfield. Palace manager Oliver Glasner has made excellent use of this enormous talent.
Importance to Southgate: 1/5
Caps: 13
Such a good member of the squad at the World Cup, where he trained hard and was a valued part of the group despite not being a first-choice player. Had a good season at Chelsea despite the team struggling.
Importance to Southgate: 2/5
Come on
Caps: 29
England will pin their hopes on him. Playing a bit deeper for Real Madrid lately, similar to his role in England, but getting all over the pitch. Has been rested this week to prepare him for the tournament.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: Eight
Has scored the 20-goal mark this season and looked good in the last international break and solid against Bosnia. The three extra positions worked to his advantage in a competitive part of the squad for wide positions.
Importance to Southgate: 2/5
Caps: Three
He has an X-factor that could see him make an impact from the bench in Germany. It pushed him ahead of Jordan Henderson in the battle to make the provisional squad, only to have his name checked after his lively display against Bosnia.
Importance to Southgate: 2/5
Caps: 33
Will definitely start for England in the European Championship. The question for the Football Writers’ Association player of the season is where his best position is under Southgate. Unfinished business after injury for Euro 2020 final.
Importance to Southgate: 4/5
Caps: Two
Gordon played very well against Brazil and it was enough for Southgate to watch from the bench again against Belgium. Has been in great form for Newcastle since then and will make a good impact.
Importance to Southgate: 2/5
Caps: 90
Has suffered from an injury, but will hopefully be back at full strength for the European Championships. A Bundesliga upset for him, but it could still be a big summer for his country. He is an integral part of England’s attacking approach as he often drops deep.
Importance to Southgate: 5/5
Caps: Three
Forced his way into this season with his form and his first goal for England on his first start. Shows up in the big moments while his teammates are struggling. He has risen to every occasion since leaving Manchester City. It would be good if matches went to penalties.
Importance to Southgate: 3/5
Caps: 32
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 but is back in form for Arsenal.
Importance to Southgate: 4/5
Caps: Two
Scored during the last international match, a year after his England debut, but then failed to find the net for the rest of the season. Still a threat enough to be part of Southgate’s artillery.
Importance to Southgate: 1/5
Caps: 12
He scored 19 goals and registered 13 assists in the Premier League. These numbers speak for themselves and he deserves his place based on merit and the number of goals scored this season.
Importance to Southgate: 3/5