With the final international break before the Euro 2024 over, Gareth Southgate has a long list of players to choose for the final England squad for Euro 2024.
Who will make the England squad for Euro 2024?
In the run-up to the Euro 2024, England and Gareth Southgate are on a quest to find the best squad to take along for the summer tournament. While several players have been given an opportunity to don the Three Lions badge in the last few years, only 23 men will make the final squad list which England are bound to submit by 7th June, 2024. With the Euros looming and the final international break over, it is up to Southgate to determine the 23 players he would like to see representing England in the summer tournament in Germany.
Out of the 23 spots available, only few have been reserved by heavyweights. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at who will make the England squad for Euro 2024.
Goalkeepers:
A Sure Shot:
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale
Hoping to make it:
Jack Butland
An Outside Chance:
Sam Johnstone, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope
Jordan Pickford has been Southgate’s trusted man in goal since the arrival of the English gaffer. The number 1 for England is very unlikely to lose his spot after starting in almost all of England’s last twenty games. While Sam Johnstone was considered to be his deputy in the run-up to the Euro 2024, it now seems that the goalkeeper might not make the England squad for Euro 2024 with an elbow injury, making way for Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale.
Jack Butland and Dean Henderson have an outside chance of making it into the squad if Pickford or Ramsdale sustain an injury, but it is unlikely they will walk into the squad. Nick Pope was a part of the English squad in the World Cup, but his injury has seen him miss most of the season and now he might not be a part of Southgate’s plans at all.
Defenders:
A Sure Shot:
Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, Ben Chilwell
Hoping to make it:
Reece James, Lewi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez
An Outside Chance:
Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw, Fikayo Tomori, Ben White
The England squad will heavily rely on the availability of Harry Maguire and John Stones to guide the team’s defense. Barring any injuries, they will definitely be accompanied by Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold. As of now, Ben Chilwell will have his way at left-back with Luke Shaw injured.
However, Joe Gomez has impressed at left-back recently while playing for Liverpool and stands an outside chance of making the squad. Lewis Dunk and March Guehi will be hopeful of a call-up and definitely will make the provisional squad, but aren’t sure to make the final 23.
Reece James has spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines this season and with England having numerous options at right-back available, the Chelsea captain will be really low on the pecking order. Luke Shaw will hope to recover from injury to make the final cut, but it is unlikely. Ben White is a curious case as Southgate on several occasions has wished to include him in the squad, but he has snubbed the opportunity. Fikayo and Konsa will have to rely on injuries if they are to be called up to the England squad for Euro 2024.
Midfielders:
A sure shot:
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Jordan Henderson
Hoping to make it:
Kobbie Mainoo, Kalvin Phillips, Conor Gallagher
An Outside Chance:
Mason Mount, Curtis Jones, James Ward-Prowse
Declan Rice captained England against Belgium in the absence of Harry Kane is a sure shot at the base of England’s midfield. He will definitely be accompanied by Jude Bellingham and James Maddison as England look for creativity at the top of the midfield. The only reason Jordan Henderson might make the squad over Conor Gallagher is due to the experience the veteran possesses and Southgate’s liking for the ex-Liverpool captain. It remains to be seen whether Southgate chooses experience or young blood.
Kobbie Mainoo has recently exploded for Man United and even made his debut for England in the March international break. The youngster might make the England squad for Euro 2024, but if it comes down to choosing between him or Gallagher, Southgate might go for the Chelsea midfielder. Kalvin Phillips has fallen down the pecking order and it is unlikely that he will get a call-up.
Mason Mount has been plagued with injuries and is unlikely to make the England squad for Euro 2024 while Curtis Jones and Ward-Prowse have a chance of cutting if there are injuries.
Forwards:
A Sure Shot:
Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka
Hoping to Make It:
Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford
An Outside Chance:
Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Eberechi Eze
Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are three invaluable weapons in Southgate’s armory and they will definitely travel to England.
Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins will compete to be the deputy to Harry Kane in the striker position. Toney’s return makes Watkins’ selection to the England squad for Euro 2024 a bit more difficult given Toney’s experience. Similarly Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen will tussle and only one of them will probably make the final 23. A few months ago Marcus Rashford was a sure shot to make the England squad for Euro 2024, but there has been a significant drop in his form. He might still make the squad given his experience, but it remains to be seen if he will play sufficient minutes.
Jack Grealish has been hounded by injuries this season and has fallen down the pecking order. Southgate is a massive fan of the winger, but the Man City player’s lack of form might see him being excluded from the squad. Eberechi Eze will rely on injuries to make the cut. Raheem Sterling has been on the fringes for a long time and now the Euro 2024 might be the last time he ever plays for England. However, he hasn’t received a call-up to the squad in a long time and may not make the cut. He will be hopeful of a surprise inclusion, but it seems very unlikely for the aging star.
Also Read: Euro 2024 Power Rankings: Ranking All the Euro 2024 Teams