With the Euros just around the corner, Gareth Southgate has to get ready to make the hard decision and determine who to leave in and who to leave out. Making the England Euro 2024 squad is now harder than ever, with elite players in almost every position of the team. However, injuries and form will most likely play an important part in making the final decision.
Here is who we think will make the 23-man Three Lions squad for the coming Euro 2024.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford will undoubtedly remain Southgate’s number one and the player who will most likely play all of the England Euro 2024 fixtures. However, the question remains: who goes alongside him?
Aaron Ramsdale or Arsenal is the obvious choice, but after being demoted to Arsenal’s number two, he is lacking significant playing time. With Sam Johnstone and Nick Pope injured, Burnley’s James Trafford and Rangers’ Jack Butland could be in the mix.
Defenders
Defenders who are surely going to make the England 2024 squad are Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Ben Chilwell. These are the veterans that Southgate has the most confidence in. Assuming they get healthy, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier should be on the plane as well.
Reece James and Luke Shaw do seem like obvious picks. Unfortunately, if it weren’t for the injuries sustained this season, they would already be on the England Euro 2024 squad. At this point, they remain the most notable absentees from the Three Lions squad.
Those that are hoping for a call up are the Crystal Palace duo Ezri Konsa and Marc Guéhi. Brighton’s Lewis Dunk has been playing really well this season. While Joe Gomez might be getting a comeback call as well. Surprise picks could include the 19-year-old Rico Lewis and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Midfielders
When making the England Euro 2024 squad prediction, the most secure midfield options are the tremendous Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, and Man City’s Phil Foden. All three of them have been having record-breaking seasons and will most likely feature in the starting lineups for Southgate. The question remains: who will play alongside them?
Let’s start with the ones that do deserve it, and those are definitely James Maddison,
Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, and a case could certainly be made for Kobbie Mainoo. On the other hand, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips, and Jordan Henderson are on the short list of absentees. With awful, surprisingly awful seasons behind them, someone with more playing time deserves a call-up instead.
Attackers
Obviously, the most secure option, as well as the player who went through the entire England Euro 2024 qualifiers, is the captain Harry Kane. He has adapted to life in Germany and Bayern Munich like a fish to water and continued to score at will.
Bukayo Saka will surely feature alongside him in the attack. He has had a slow start to the season but has begun ramping up his output as it progresses. A case can certainly be made for Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen. They are among the best attackers in the Premier League and their presence will be required.
More so, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon should definitely be on the plane for Germany. They are young and will benefit from the experience of playing in a high-stakes tournament like the Euros.
Marcus Rashford hasn’t shown enough to earn a spot this season, and the same could be said for Raheem Sterling. Callum Wilson has been having a lot of injury troubles. While Ivan Toney missed half of the season due to suspension.
Dominic Solanke does sound like an interesting new name. But with all the firepower that England has, not everyone can make it.
