England have an enviable collection of talent (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
England will head into this summer’s Euro 2024 amongst the favourites, with the team seemingly well-placed to end their long trophy drought since winning the World Cup almost 60 years ago.
Gareth Southgate’s squad is surely the envy of Europe, with the Three Lions boasting a huge embarrassment of riches.
Whittling down his pool of players will likely give Southgate endless sleepless nights between now and the start of the tournament, which gets underway in Germany on June 14, but March’s international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium will be useful in helping him to settle on his final squad.
And his already daunting task has been made even harder by the fact that the number of players allowed in each squad has been reduced from 26 – introduced at the previous two tournaments to mitigate the effects of the pandemic – to the traditional 23.
Here, Metro.co.uk takes a look at where the English players stand in the race to bag a seat on the plane to Germany.
ON THE PLANE
1. Harry Kane
England’s record goalscorer will spearhead the forward line this summer, with the former Spurs striker looking to add to the 12 goals he has scored for the Three Lions in major tournaments.
Kane already knows a thing or two about scoring goals in Germany with the 30 year-old breaking records left, right and centre with Bayern Munich – and Euro 2024 could even be an opportunity to pass on some local German knowledge to his teammates in the process.
Kane could be set for a blockbuster summer (Picture: Getty)
2. Jude Bellingham
Bellingham has cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers on the planet with an extraordinary debut season at Real Madrid.
If the 20 year-old is anywhere near his best when the tournament rolls around this summer, then England will surely have a golden opportunity to join the list of teams which have won UEFA’s top prize.
3. Declan Rice
Rice became the most expensive English player of all time when Arsenal agreed to part with £105m to secure his services in the summer.
The former West Ham star has fitted in seamlessly in north London, and will be instrumental at the heart of England’s midfield in stopping some of the finest attacking players the continent has to offer.
4. Jordan Pickford
The 30 year-old remains England’s undisputed first choice between the sticks.
Pickford has often saved his best form for the national team, and Germany 2024 will see him participate in his fourth tournament as England’s number one.
5. Kyle Walker
Only Kane and Harry Maguire have featured more often for England since Southgate took charge in 2016.
Walker remains a vital cog for club and country, and his ability to also play at the right of a back three is central to Southgate’s tactical flexibility mid-tournament.
Walker will add to his 81 England caps at Euro 2024 (Picture: Getty)
6. John Stones
Stones is England’s standout pick at the heart of the defence and is the only centre back completely guaranteed of his place in the squad when fit.
Stones could even be an option for England in midfield given his displays for Manchester City in the middle of the park this season, but Southgate will likely resist the temptation and instead keep him at the back.
7. Bukayo Saka
The Arsenal academy graduate has been at the heart of Arsenal’s scintillating form in 2024 as The Gunners chase Premier League and Champions League success.
Saka remains one of England’s key players, having scored 11 goals in 32 appearances, and his ability to play on either flank is a useful tool in Southgate’s armoury.
8. Phil Foden
Foden has seemingly taken his game to another level under Pep Guardiola this season and is firmly in the race to be named the Premier League’s Player of the Season.
Before this year there was much debate as to whether Foden should start for England or instead be named on the bench, but his form this term has surely put that argument to bed.
9. Ollie Watkins (UP 1)
Watkins is in pole position to act as Kane’s understudy at Euro 2024, with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery helping him blossom into one of the deadliest strikers in English football.
No other Premier League player has more goal involvements than the 28-year old this season.
CAN ALMOST START PACKING
10. Harry Maguire
Maguire’s malaise in club form has been well-documented over the past 12 months, but Southgate has so far resisted the calls to axe his trusted lieutenant from his squad.
And arguably for good reason, given Maguire’s performances for England have generally held up – not to mention the fact he remains a hugely popular figure amongst his Three Lions colleagues and is now getting regular game time at Old Trafford.
11. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Southgate has seemingly never fully trusted Alexander-Arnold at right back, with legitimate question marks hanging over his defending.
But the Liverpool star, whose knee injury is not expected to keep him out of Euro 2024, has made a successful move into midfield in recent England games, and any inclusion in the Euro 2024 squad is likely to be in that position.
12. Jack Grealish (DOWN 3)
Grealish took some time to earn the trust of Southgate, but he has been a regular member of the squad since making his debut in 2020.
However, Grealish’s Euro 2024 hopes have suffered a setback with the Manchester City man having aggravated his groin injury, which saw him left out of the squad for March’s international friendlies.
Grealish may have to contend with a spot on the bench (Picture: Getty)
13. Ben Chilwell (UP 3)
Chilwell returned from a hamstring injury in January which had kept him sidelined for four months of the campaign.
The Chelsea left back, who didn’t play a single minute at the last Euros, has been included for the games with Brazil and Belgium and could be first choice this summer given Shaw’s injury.
14. Kieran Tripper (DOWN 3)
Another one of Southgate’s favourites, Tripper’s spot in the squad is on shakier ground these days, due to a combination of his indifferent Newcastle form and England’s competition at fullback.
That said, his experience, versatility and set piece capabilities are likely to remain hugely attractive to Southgate – although missing the March squad through injury is a blow.
15. Jordan Henderson
Henderson’s move to Ajax, having cut short his controversial stint at Al-Ettifaq, is surely a huge boost to the midfielder’s chances of playing in Germany later this year.
Southgate had insisted that his involvement in the Saudi Pro League would not bar him from England selection, but now a move to the Eredivisie will make it easier for the manager to rationale including him in the squad, whose experience from five major tournaments will be invaluable.
16. Marcus Rashford (DOWN 2)
Only Kane and Raheem Sterling have scored more goals under Southgate, but Rashford’s poor form for Manchester United has placed his inclusion in some jeopardy.
An improvement in form at club level will surely be enough to secure his seat on the plane, but several in-form England stars enjoying fine Premier League seasons are putting serious pressure on Rashford to start delivering sooner rather than later.
17. Cole Palmer (UP 3)
Palmer has been one of the very few positives of Chelsea’s underwhelming season, quickly emerging as one of Mauricio Pochettino’s first names on the team sheet.
The midfielder made his debut in the win over Malta in November, and his brilliance for the Blues has seen Southgate elect to take a closer look at him for March’s fixtures – and his place in the squad looks more and more assured with each passing week.
Palmer has been one of Chelsea’s few positives this season (Picture: Getty)
18. James Maddison (UP 1)
The charismatic and confident midfielder enjoyed a stunning start to his Tottenham career under Ange Postecoglou, which was then brought to an abrupt halt with an ankle injury in early November.
The 27 year-old has now returned to action, however, and his continued presence in the England squad seemingly indicates he has earned the trust of Southgate, who at times throughout his reign has been reluctant to select him in his team.
19. Luke Shaw (DOWN 5)
Shaw is comfortably England’s first choice left back, and memorably scored the opening goal of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley after just two minutes.
But the Manchester United player’s hopes of making this year’s tournament are now under serious threat, given he could miss the rest of the season with a fresh muscle injury.
20. Aaron Ramsdale
Mikel Arteta has demoted Ramsdale to the role of Arsenal number two, in favour of David Raya, which has ended any hopes Ramsdale may have harboured over usurping Pickford.
Despite his lack of game time, the shot stopper will still be confident of acting as Pickford’s deputy in the tournament.
TOUCH AND GO
21. Lewis Dunk
The defender has three England caps to his name, and given the uncertainty surrounding England’s current crop of centre backs, Dunk will believe he has every chance of appearing in his first ever major tournament.
His aerial ability is hugely attractive, and his ability to play out from the back has been honed by the brilliant Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton.
22. Sam Johnstone
The keeper is having a solid season at Crystal Palace, and is currently ahead of Nick Pope in the pecking order for the third goalkeeper slot.
Johnstone played the full 90 minutes of the friendly win over Australia in October, and didn’t put a foot wrong between the sticks.
23. Marc Guehi (DOWN 3)
The classy centre half, who has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, hasn’t put a step out of place so far in his England career, and his recent string of starts is a clear demonstration as to how highly he features in Southgate’s plans.
But Guehi has been ruled out of action for up to eight weeks following successful knee surgery which threatens his place in the final squad.
Guehi is in the treatment room (Picture: Getty)
WORK TO DO
24. Jarrod Bowen
The lively forward is enjoying another fine season for West Ham, and indeed he has largely performed well in his five England appearances to date.
Bowen can hardly do much more for the Hammers, with his 14 Premier League goals testament to that, but the sheer number of options available to Southgate means his place in the squad is not completely assured.
25. Conor Gallagher
Arguably Chelsea’s best player this season, the energetic midfielder is building a strong case to be included this summer.
Gallagher has won 11 caps for England so far in his career, but despite being named in the World Cup squad, he didn’t make it onto the pitch in Qatar.
26. Reece James
James walks into the England squad when fit and firing – but remaining fit has been a huge problem for the Chelsea star, who missed the last World Cup with injury.
James is currently out with his seventh hamstring injury in three years, with a return date still not clear, and Southgate will demand assurances over his fitness if he is to be handed a spot at the tournament.
OUTSIDE CHANCE
27. Anthony Gordon (UP 1)
The flying winger is enjoying his football in the North East, starring in a Newcastle team which has been inconsistent, to say the least, this season.
Gordon has been called up to the squad for the very first time, but it might be a case that England’s abundance of forward talent keeps him away from the final Euro 2024 squad.
28. Levi Colwill
Colwill has picked up from where he left off at Brighton last season, enjoying plenty of game time for Chelsea with a series of impressive performances – despite the odd mistake here and there.
His ability to play at centre back and left back are appealing, but it could be one tournament too soon for the 20 year-old, who was ruled out of the March squad with a foot injury.
29. Jadon Sancho (DOWN 2)
Sancho has been handed something of a Euro 2024 lifeline by Borussia Dortmund, who have taken the winger on loan for the rest of the season after he was sidelined by Erik ten Hag following their very public Manchester United falling out.
However, Sancho was once again left out of the squad by Southgate, with the writing seemingly on the wall.
30. Kalvin Phillips (DOWN 5)
Phillips played a starring role for England in their run to the Euro 2020 final almost three years ago, but struggled for game time since signing for Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
His loan move to West Ham was seemingly a huge boost to his chances, but Phillips’ horror start to life at the London Stadium has seen him left out of the latest squad.
Phillips’ Euro 2024 hopes hang by a thread (Picture: Getty)
31. Mason Mount (DOWN 3)
Once one of Southgate’s first names on the team sheet, Mount has had a nightmare start to his Manchester United career, although he clearly hasn’t been helped by injuries.
Mount has been out of action since November and his Euro 2024 hopes are now surely all but over.
32. Fikayo Tomori
Southgate has previously been critical of a number of mistakes Tomori has made in the Three Lions jersey.
The former Chelsea star, who now plays for Milan, has not been included in the March squad and there seems little prospect of him returning for Euro 2024.
33. Raheem Sterling (DOWN 6)
Sterling has been in England exile since the World Cup in 2022, with a dip in club form not having helped his cause.
Southgate could still elect to rely on Sterling’s vast tournament experience, but it would probably require injury to several of his direct rivals for him to feature at his sixth international competition – and his absence from the March squad is a worrying sign.
34. Ivan Toney (UP 4)
The Brentford talisman has only just become available for selection again following the end of his eight month ban for breaking betting rules, but has already managed four goals since his return.
Toney has been recalled to the England squad for the first time in a year and his penalty taking abilities are always a useful trait for an England player.
35. Ezri Konsa (UP 7)
Konsa made it into the squad for the November internationals after Lewis Dunk pulled out with injury.
The Aston Villa man has once again been included in the squad for this month’s internationals, but he may well need injuries to his main competitors to see him head to Euro 2024.
36. Jarrad Branthwaite (NEW)
Branthwaite’s commanding form at the back for Everton has seen him earn his first England call-up.
The 21 year-old, who spent last season on loan at PSV, will look to impress Southgate in the latest camp but faces an uphill battle to make the final cut.
37. Callum Wilson (DOWN 4)
A reliable goalscorer when fit, Wilson was included in the June and September squads, and made two appearances for England at the last World Cup.
But Wilson’s hopes of making it to Germany have suffered a huge blow, having undergone surgery on a pectoral injury which is expected to keep him out for between nine and 12 weeks.
38. Dominic Solanke
Solanke is finally living up to the huge hype which surrounded the striker during his Chelsea academy days.
But despite his brilliant form for Bournemouth, Southgate favoured Ivan Toney instead in March’s squad which is a clear indication as to the manager’s thinking for the summer.
Euro 2024
39. James Ward-Prowse
Ward-Prowse is another player who can hardly do much more to persuade Southgate to take him to Germany, but his recent omissions are an ominous sign.
Henderson’s return to European football will certainly not help the West Ham star’s chances, who has narrowly missed out for England at the previous two tournaments.
40. Kobbie Mainoo (DOWN 2)
The 18 year-old Manchester United starlet is quickly growing in stature at Old Trafford, having only made his full Premier League debut back in November.
A string of superb performances have fired Mainoo into the conversation, but Southgate has elected not to call him up citing a lack of senior first team appearances.
41. Nick Pope
Pope faces a frantic race against time to make the England squad with the Newcastle goalkeeper expected to be out until late March with a shoulder injury sustained back in December.
But even a return to full fitness is not guaranteed to be enough, given Pope has been left out of recent squads – potentially because of his perceived ball-playing weakness.
Pope faces a fight to regain his place in the squad (Picture: Getty)
WILDCARDS
42. Eberechi Eze
Eze continues to shine for Palace, who is reportedly attracting interest from several Premier League big boys.
However, the 25 year-old probably needs to do something hugely dramatic before the season’s end if he is to force his way into Southgate’s plans and add to his two caps.
43. Morgan Gibbs-White
A member of the England squad who won the U17 World Cup in 2017, Gibbs-White has grown to become Nottingham Forest’s most important player this season.
Gibbs-White will almost certainly not appear for England at Euro 2024, but it’s surely only a matter of time before he wins his first cap.
44. Ben White (DOWN 6)
White left the England camp at the World Cup for personal reasons, and hasn’t returned to the squad since.
Despite his performances for Arsenal, there appears little prospect of White featuring again any time soon for the Three Lions, with Southgate confirming the player has asked not to be considered for selection.
45. Eddie Nketiah
The Arsenal striker will need regular game time and a plentiful supply of goals for the rest of the campaign if he is to force his way into Southgate’s reckoning.
Nketiah has won just the one cap for England, which came in the recent win over Australia.
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