When is England’s final Euro 2024 squad announced? The players at risk of being axed

Gareth Southgate has just days to whittle down his provisional 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 into a final list of 26 players.

The 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia on Monday night would have provided Southgate with some more clarity over the status of several Three Lions stars, but the England boss will likely still be having sleepless nights between now and the final deadline.

With Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Reece James and Ben Chilwell already among the notable absentees, Metro.co.uk considers the players who are at risk of not making the final cut ahead of England’s Euro 2024 campaign, which gets underway against Serbia on June 16.

When must the final England squad for Euro 2024 be submitted by?

The UEFA deadline for final squads to be submitted is this Friday (June 7), which happens to be the day that England play their final Euro 2024 warm-up game against Iceland at Wembley.

Can changes to Euro 2024 squads be made after the deadline?

Injured players can be replaced in the squad at any point up until the opening game of the Euros.

After that point no changes can be made to squads, with the exception of goalkeepers, who can be replaced like-for-like at any point during the tournament.

Who’s at risk of being left out of England’s final Euro 2024 squad?

James Trafford

Trafford was named alongside Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson in goal with the Burnley shot stopper the most likely option to miss out. Uncapped at senior level, the 21-year-old began the season as Vincent Kompany’s firm first choice in goal but was dropped from the starting XI in mid-March with Arijanet Muric taking his place in the side.

Luke Shaw

The Manchester United star has endured an injury-hit season with muscle injuries limiting him to just 15 starting appearances, having not played a single minute since mid-February.

Southgate is bullish over Shaw’s involvement in the final squad and has insisted his first-choice left back is ‘progressing very well.’

But whilst a return to action may well be on the cards, it is far from an ideal situation for England’s first choice left back to be in.

Lewis Dunk and Jarell Quansah

It is in defence where perhaps England have the biggest question marks. Harry Maguire and John Stones are almost certain to be first-choice, injury permitting, with Jarrad Branthwaite fully deserving of his call-up after a wonderful season at Everton.

With a shortage of full-backs, Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa offer versatility, leaving three options at centre-half. Marc Guehi will feel he has proved his fitness after a knee problem this season, featuring in Palace’s final three games of the season as well as the Bosnia game. If Southgate feels the same, it may be Dunk and Quansah who miss out.

Adam Wharton

The 20-year-old is still being viewed as a wildcard option even after his excellent performance on debut at St James’ Park, with his inclusion in England’s provisional squad rich reward for his stunning form at Crystal Palace having joined from Blackburn in January.

Wharton’s passing and positioning in that midfield role have caught the eye of Southgate in an area of the pitch where England have so often struggled. But with one inexperienced midfielder in Kobbie Mainoo almost certain to make the final cut, Southgate may elect to delay Wharton’s debut tournament appearance until the 2026 World Cup at the very least.

Curtis Jones and James Maddison

In a crowded field of outstanding attacking options, someone has got to go. Maddison, who made the last World Cup squad without making a single appearance, enjoyed a wonderful start to the season at Tottenham but struggled to recapture that form after his ankle injury and is now comfortably behind Cole Palmer in the pecking order.

Brighter performances against Burnley and Sheffield United marked an encouraging end to the season but it may have been too little, too late. While offering an option in a number of different roles, Jones is currently in his first-ever England camp and didn’t make it onto the pitch against Bosnia.

Jack Grealish

Grealish played an important role in City’s treble-winning season last year but has seen first-team chances dry up this term with just 20 Premier League appearances. The 28-year-old has been part of Southgate’s plans since his debut in 2020 but the emergence of Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze could pose a real threat to him making the final squad.

Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon

Whilst both are deserving of a place in the final squad on the back of their respective seasons with West Ham and Newcastle, it may well be the case that there is only room for one on the plane to Germany.

Gordon, who made his England debut in the defeat to Brazil back in March, has not played since injuring his ankle against Manchester United last month but he is thought to be closing in on a return to full training. The fact that Bowen can hit the ground running in Germany and has greater international experience could well swing the debate in his favour.

Ivan Toney

Does Gareth Southgate need two strikers to serve as back-up for Harry Kane? The Bayern Munich star will unquestionably start every game with an abundance of goals and versatility in behind him.

In a straight shoot out for that final spot, Watkins’ incredible season at Villa cannot be overlooked, not to mention that the Brentford man was left on the bench at the expense of Watkins against Bosnia.

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