With less than three months to go before England at Euro 2024 in Germany, this month’s international window offers a crucial opportunity for managers to take a good look at their options. It’s likely to be a pivotal summer for England manager Gareth Southgate, who is under pressure to deliver a trophy having fallen just short at several tournaments on the spin now, while he is rumoured to be on the radar of Manchester United.
England head into the tournament as favourites having lost in the Euro 2020 final to Italy three years ago, meaning that plenty of eyes will be on their squad announcement in June. Southgate is notoriously loyal when it comes to naming his squads, so there are unlikely to be too many surprises, but there are still plenty of places that are up for grabs at this stage.
We’ve taken a look at each of England’s four positional departments and picked out three players in each area who still have a work to do if they are to head to Germany.
Goalkeepers that England could take to Euro 2024
On the plane: Jordan Pickford
Candidates: Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Jack Butland
The goalkeeping situation has been cast in stone for several years now, with Jordan Pickford being the main man ever since the 2018 World Cup. Southgate continues to keep faith with Pickford despite Everton’s struggles, though the other two places remain open to debate.
Aaron Ramsdale
The Arsenal keeper has lost his place to David Raya at the Emirates this season, though Southgate has taken him to each of the last two major tournaments and it seems highly likely that he will serve as Pickford’s understudy once again here.
Sam Johnstone
Having regained the first choice slot at Crystal Palace this season from Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone seems most likely to get the nod as third-choice goalkeeper. The latest of his four caps came in a friendly victory over Australia last October and he’s been a regular in squads of late.
Nick Pope
With 10 caps, Nick Pope has the most international experience out of all of those named above and it could be argued that he was a credible option for the number one jersey a couple of years ago.
Pope has been in fine form for Newcastle over the last 18 months or so, though he’s missed a chunk of this campaign through injury. His return is imminent, but he would require a leap of faith from the risk-averse Southgate if he is to head to Germany.
England’s defensive options at Euro 2024
On the plane: Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier
Candidates: Ben Chilwell, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Dunk, Jarrad Brathwaite, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Luke Shaw, Reece James, Ben White, Eric Dier, Fikaro Tomori, Levi Colwill, Dan Burn, Rico Lewis, Jarrell Quansah
There can be no doubt that Gareth Southgate has his favourites, meaning that each of John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier can be all but certain that they will be heading to Germany in the summer.
There are still places up for grabs at full back, while several will fancy their chances at serving as cover in the central areas, too.
Joe Gomez
The Liverpool defender has been out of the picture for the best part of four years, having suffered a season-ending knee injury during an international break in November 2020. He has earned a recall for the March friendlies after enjoying a fine campaign for his club side however and his biggest selling point is his versatility, with the 26-year-old able to play across the back line. A solid end to the season would likely see Gomez earn his spot at the Euros.
Reece James
England have an embarrassment of riches at right back and Reece James would have a strong case for being first choice if fully fit. The 24-year-old is one of England’s brightest talents, but his Achillies heel has been his troubles with injury. He’s missed large chunks of the last two seasons for Chelsea, and has slipped down the pecking order for the time being.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Liverpool right back has been slowly evolving into a midfielder over the last couple of years, playing in a hybrid role for his club side due to his ability on the ball. He would still offer fine cover at the back should Southgate pick him, though the fact that his last two international appearances have come in midfield would suggest he’s more likely to be picked further up the field.
England’s options in midfield at Euro 2024
On the plane: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice
Candidates: Conor Gallagher, James Maddison, Kobbie Mainoo, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson, James Ward-Prowse, Eberechi Eze, Mason Mount, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold
The midfield department is probably the one that’s the most fluid at the moment, with only two players that can be absolutely certain of their places. Both Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are near certainties to be in the starting XI, but it can be argued that each of the other four places on the plane are still up for grabs at the moment.
Jordan Henderson
The most controversial name on this list is Jordan Henderson, who was booed by England fans in October after sealing a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia in the summer. He’s since left for Ajax, though it’s difficult to argue that he will be picked on merit.
Henderson’s presence has become a real bug bear for England fans, with the complaints at his inclusion getting louder at each international window. He is a firm favourite of his manager, however, who values the 33-year-old’s experience over his questionable club form and it’s likely he’ll get the nod once again.
Kalvin Phillips
Another firm favourite of the England manager, though he has work to do if he’s to earn his place on the plane to Germany. The 28-year-old moved to West Ham in January to try and force his way back into Southgate’s plans, but he’s endured a turgid start, making a couple of high-profile errors before being shown a red card away at Nottingham Forest. He’s still got time to turn things around however and has the advantage of being a player who Southgate trusts.
Kobbie Mainoo
The 18-year-old is enjoying a breakout season for Manchester United, form which earned him a first cap against Brazil on Saturday. His sensational performances for his club side mean he’s become a genuine contender in an area where several of his older rivals have stagnated. His substitute appearance on Saturday means he’s been fast-tracked past the under 21 side – which is significant as it’s a route that Southgate traditionally values highly. He’d arguably be the surprise of the lot should he muscle his way in, but a strong end to the season would give Mainoo every chance of sneaking in.
England’s strikers at Euro 2024
On the plane: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden
Candidates: Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Ivan Toney, Raheem Sterling, Dominic Solanke, Callum Wilson
It may be slightly conservative to name just three players as being ‘on the plane’ in the forward department for England, though there are still a few questions to answer. Each of Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are certainties to be heading to Germany, though with plenty of competition it can be argued that nothing else is cast in stone just yet.
Ollie Watkins
Southgate tends to prefer having one striker to serve as an understudy to Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins is the heavy favourite to fill that berth. Watkins has been in lethal form for Aston Villa this term, consistently finding the net both domestically and in Europe. He’s difficult to ignore, though he had a quiet game against Brazil on Saturday, which may yet open the door to Ivan Toney.
Ivan Toney
Should Watkins be challenged at the eleventh hour, it is most likely to come from Ivan Toney. The 28-year-old missed the first half of the season due to suspension and while he scored on his first game back for Brentford, he will need to take a significant step up from his tally of four goals in 10 league appearances.
Raheem Sterling
The Chelsea winger has been a mainstay of the England set up over the last decade or so, having appeared at every tournament since the 2014 World Cup. With 82 caps under his belt, Sterling would bring plenty of experience, though his inconsistent form for his club has seen him drop out of contention for the national team.
Sterling is still only 29, but he hasn’t made an appearance for England since coming off the bench in the quarter-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup. He now finds himself behind some younger players in the pecking order – including Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer.
By Nick Seddon
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