Picking the England squad was perhaps a little easier for Gareth Southgate in Euro 2020 than it will be for Euro 2024. In the last edition of the tournament, UEFA permitted nations to name 26 players due to the risk of COVID-19 disruption. This time around though the England boss will be limited to a squad of 23 players, meaning there will be less space for those on-the-fringe names.
As is usually the case with any England squad for a major tournament, some players are considered nailed on, others have a respectable outside chance, and then there is everyone in between. Serious injuries or a huge swing in late-season form could well change Gareth Southgate’s plans but assuming nothing too out of the ordinary happens, here is what Southgate’s squad should look like.
The Near Certainties
We have put 13 players into the all-but-certain camp. For these names, it would take a major injury to stop them from getting on the plane to Germany this summer.
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale
- Defenders: Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kieran Tripper, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish
Starting in goal, Pickford looks set to remain England’s number one while Ramsdale’s place in the squad is under no real threat despite a lack of game time for Arsenal. Not only is there not a great deal of competition but Southgate is not a manager who has insisted that members of his squad are playing week-in week-out. Instead, he’s been happy to rely on players he trusts, even if they lack club minutes.
Southgate made the rare decision of bringing four right backs with him to Euro 2020 but it looks like there will be just three this time around. If Reece James can recover from hamstring surgery before the end of the season, this may give the England boss something to think about but given his injury record, he would surely be the reserve choice. On the opposite flank, Luke Shaw is the clear pick from all the options at left back and has been a consistent option for Southgate when available.
Rice and Bellingham are obvious picks and will be among the first names on the Three Lions team sheet, as will Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. There may not be room for all of Saka, Foden and Grealish in the starting eleven but there is no doubt the trio are Germany-bound.
The Strong Contenders
The following seven players are ones that it would be a surprise not to see head to Germany, even though they are not ‘guaranteed’ picks.
- Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone
- Defenders: Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill
- Midfielders: James Maddison
- Forwards: Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford
Working our way up the pitch again, with no disrespect to Sam Johnstone, it is a lack of any great alternatives that will probably see him included in the England side. The main contenders for the third keeping spot include an out-of-favour Nick Pope who is recovering from surgery and Dean Henderson, who Johnstone is largely keeping out of the Palace side. James Trafford is possibly an outside shot too but the youngster seems a much riskier pick despite his U21 pedigree.
In defence, Southgate is likely to stick by Maguire yet again, despite criticism from some of the Three Lions faithful. A lack of club minutes has often been used to question his regular England involvement but he is likely to play for much of the remainder of the season. Another serious injury sustained by clubmate Lisandro Martinez should see him get plenty of time on the pitch. Colwill will likely get the nod for his versatility, able to play at LB and CB while the nine-time capped Marc Guehi appears to be another of Southgate’s preferred defensive options.
Although a bit injury-prone, James Maddison has shown his class for Tottenham this season and would be a surprise omission given his ability to create chances. Further forward, Ollie Watkins has been enjoying a fine season and was the first Premier League player to reach double-digit assists and goals. As for a Harry Kane back-up, there appears to be no better option.
Marcus Rashford has not been in such fine form this season and has also been dealing with off-field troubles but does have the benefit of huge international experience and being a Southgate favourite. The Man United man has already made 59 appearances for his country and despite being aged just 26. Providing his off-field antics do not see Ten Haag give him the Jadon Sancho treatment, Rashford is a fairly safe bet.
The Maybes
So far we have named 20 players who we think have a near certain, or strong chance of being named in Southgate’s 23-man squad. There is a lot of competition for these final three spaces and these will be the ones that provide the England boss with the biggest headaches. Injuries or otherwise expected events may mean more than three of the below players make the cut, but expect the majority to miss out.
- Defenders: Lewis Dunk, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Fikayo Tomori
- Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Eberechi Eze
- Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Ivan Toney
With the possibility Southgate may wish to play three-at-the-back for some matches, combined with his general safety-first approach, picking five centre-backs would not be a big surprise. This is good news for Dunk and Tomori as it means one of them has a decent chance of joining the England squad. Out of the two, Brighton’s defensive woes this year may see the latter preferred.
Chelsea fullbacks James and Chillwell will both be contenders IF they are both fully fit ahead of the tournament. The latter recovered from a major hamstring issue in January and probably stands a better chance, especially given the reduced competition on the left side. Chilwell could well be joined by two other teammates in Gallagher and Palmer. Both have put in some excellent performances for an inconsistent Chelsea team this season and make a strong case.
Gallagher certainly deserves the spot on merit ahead of Phillips and Henderson, but these two are favourites of Southgate. So much so, in Henderson’s case, that Southgate went to the Netherlands to see the ex-Liverpool man for his Ajax debut. It is a little difficult to see Southgate turning his back on the midfielder but with Phillips, things are less sure. If the 28-year-old can regain his Leeds form at West Ham, he’ll have a fine chance. This may be a big ask of someone though who has played so little football over the past two seasons.
As for forward options, the reliability and superiority of Harry Kane means there is little need to bring lots of (central) forward players. Watkins will be on hand in case of injury but there seems little need for a third option (Toney) in a one-striker system. Bowen can deputise in the nine-role if required but has the versatility to play across the attacking line. There is no doubting his ability either but with just one England cap in 2023, Southgate does not appear to be his biggest fan.
Possible Squad – In Full
As things stand, here is our best guess as to who will be presenting England at Euro 2024.
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone
- Defenders: Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kieran Tripper, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Fikayo Tomori
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Jordan Henderson, Conor Gallagher
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford
