Picking England's Euro 2024 Squad
Three More Than A Game contributors make their selections.
Less than three months out from Euro 2024, attention has inevitably turned to which players should be heading to the tournament.
Up and down the country, there has been plenty of debate as to just who England boss Gareth Southgate should take to Germany.
Never one to ignore a good bandwagon, three More Than A Game contributors have had their shot at picking a 23-man squad for the Three Lions.
PATRIC RIDGE
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Trent Alexnder-Arnold (Liverpool), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Even if the 26-man squad rule that has been in place for the last couple of major international tournaments had remained, then this would not have been an easy selection — so stripping it down to 23 has been hugely difficult.
To be honest, there’s probably no real need for three goalkeepers, but all teams take three goalkeepers, so I’ve picked three — Pickford is the clear number one, with Pope, assuming he returns to fitness in time, getting the nod ahead of Aaron Ramsdale for me.
In defence, Gomez has enjoyed a fine season with Liverpool and comes in as a utility player who can play anywhere across the back line. I’ve counted Alexander-Arnold as a defender, and Walker, Stones and Maguire are all certainties for Southgate. Brantwhaite has been brilliant in his breakthrough campaign at Everton, and should get the experience of going to a major tournament. Strong, fast and left-footed, he looks to have the level-headedness and assurity that top-calbire defenders possess. I’m not sure Ezri Konza’s form has been strong enough as of late, though he is an unlucky absentee.
Southgate doesn’t seem to favour Fikayo Tomori, while Lewis Dunk — as good as he is — is not the future for England.
Perhaps a controversial decision, but Kieran Trippier remains at home. He has been a brilliant servant for Southgate, but this squad does not need three right-backs (plus Gomez), and Trippier has looked fatigued in a gruelling season for Newcastle. Yes, he is a brilliant set-piece taker and his deliveries are generally excellent from open play, but that’s nothing Alexander-Arnold can’t provide. Shaw gets the nod over Ben Chilwell, fitness permitting.
Another contentious pick, but putting my Southgate-hat on (yes, I do have one), it’s going to happen — Henderson will be picked. This should be his final tournament (perhaps that’s already been and gone, really), but Southgate will want that experience in there. Bellingham will be pivotal, and should ideally play in a role that enables him to get forward as he does for Real Madrid, and Rice is sure of a start. Mainoo, who has this week been called up to the senior squad, should then compete with Gallagher and Maddison for the other starting slot in midfield. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is unlucky to not make the cut, and should probably get in over Henderson (but, he won’t).
In attack, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen just miss out, and if there are any injury issues (looking at you, Jack Grealish), they would be the first reserves. Ivan Toney is also left out, but in all honesty all he would be in for would be his excellent penalties — but given Palmer, Kane, Saka, Rice and Watkins all take spot-kicks for their clubs, this shouldn’t be a huge concern.
HARRY CARR
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Man City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Luton Town), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Maddison (Tottenham), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford).
Much of the squad – and starting XI – picks itself, with the main areas of contention being centre-back, central midfield, and back-up options out wide and up top.
Stones and Maguire will start, and I've opted to back them up with Branthwaite – who shares similarities with both players – and Colwill, whose ability to play centre-back or left-back frees up another attacking space. As for the midfield pivot, I'm aboard the Mainoo hype train, and love the idea of either him or Alexander-Arnold partnering Rice depending on the opponent.
Kalvin Phillips is ahead of Jordan Henderson for me – a half-season training with Manchester City is worth more than a half-season in Saudi Arabia – but neither have done enough. Barkley has shone in a deep-lying role for Luton and brings a blend of ball progression and tenacity, so he's in over Gallagher, who has played most of his minutes much further forward.
Saka and Foden are obvious starters, and while I almost left Grealish out, his ability to bring control to tight knockout games is something not shared by any of his team-mates. Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen were considered for Rashford's spot, but narrowly missed out.
Up front, I've committed the sin of not picking on form. Leaving Ollie Watkins out was incredibly tough, given his brilliant numbers, but it's difficult to foresee a scenario in which any backup striker gets many minutes, and Rashford can replicate some of his traits from the left. With the fine margins in mind, I've gone for spot-kick specialist Toney.
ALFIE BIGGS
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Man City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), James Maddison (Tottenham), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Phil Foden (Man City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
This is the first tournament since Pickford’s England debut in 2017 where the number one jersey isn’t under contention, which to me is insane. For England, he’s been faultless and the narrative that he underperforms for his club is also false. I’ve just gone with two goalkeepers, with Pope coming in as back-up.
Walker’s form does worry me and there has been a slight drop-off this season. We may not be able to lean on his heroic defensive qualities to bail us out. For me, Benjamin White not wanting to play for England is a massive shame. Reece James has continued to struggle with injuries, leading to only 437 minutes played this season, and Valentino Livramento is struggling to nail down consistent minutes at Newcastle. With Alexander-Arnold viewed as a midfielder, Trippier seems the best second option.
With Maguire and Stones shoo-ins, the remaining two centre-back spots in my squad will be selected from the red and blue side of Liverpool. Gomez’s versatility has been a huge asset for Liverpool. Across Stanley Park, Everton’s season has been littered with blows, however, the rise of Branthwaite has been one of the few positives. Shaw and Chilwell complete the defence.
Curtis Jones, Loftus-Cheek and Barkley are all having superb campaigns, but I’ve gone with Gallagher in midfield along with Rice, Alexander-Arnold and Mainoo. With Mason Mount’s injury issues this season, the more advanced midfielders pick themselves — Bellingham is a genuine Ballon d'Or contender and Maddison has been excellent for Spurs.
For the flanks, I’ve selected Saka, Palmer and Gordon — who can fill in on both wings — Rashford and Foden. Grealish misses out.
Another Ballon d’Or contender, Kane, has netted 31 Bundesliga goals, making it his best-ever return in a league campaign. Leverkusen going nuts should not change the fact that he is one of the best players in the world and should be a big reason why England win the Euros. Watkins, who has scored 22 goals in all competitions for Villa, deserves his shot as back-up.
