Gareth Southgate is set to maintain his trust in established players while considering exciting prospects like Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
On the Plane:
- Jordan Pickford is expected to secure the No 1 goalkeeper spot, with Harry Maguire likely to feature in defense alongside standout performer John Stones.
- Defensive stability is crucial, with Kyle Walker as an established right-back and Kieran Trippier offering versatility and experience.
- Declan Rice is undroppable in defensive midfield, and Jude Bellingham is poised to be a standout player in the tournament.
- Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are potential starters in the front three, supporting England’s main striker, Harry Kane.
In the Departure Lounge:
- Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone is a strong challenger for the goalkeeper position, and friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March will help finalize squad decisions.
- Versatility is a key criterion, making Levi Colwill, who can cover left-back and centre-back, an appealing option.
- Midfield depth is a concern, with Jordan Henderson still valuable despite his move to the Saudi Pro League. Conor Gallagher’s form for Chelsea puts him in contention.
- Experimentation with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield is ongoing, and attackers like James Maddison, Jack Grealish, and Marcus Rashford are competing for a spot on the left.
Hoping for a Ticket:
- Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale faces competition from Nick Pope. In defense, Lewis Dunk has been solid, and Reece James might contend if he stays fit.
- Reliability plays a role, and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell’s absence opens doors for alternatives like City’s Rico Lewis, who impressed against North Macedonia.
- Attackers like Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, and Eberechi Eze are under consideration. Raheem Sterling, if he maintains his form at Chelsea, could stage a comeback.
On the Sofa:
- Injured players like Dean Henderson and Tyrone Mings are unlikely to make the squad. Players like James Ward-Prowse, Sean Longstaff, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jadon Sancho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Tammy Abraham may miss out.
- Young talents Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones might be crucial for the under-21s but could be a tournament too soon for Euro 2024.
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