England boss Gareth Southgate must cut seven players from the 33-man training group before submitting his final squad of 26 to UEFA by Friday’s 11pm (UK time) deadline
Gareth Southgate has 72 hours to make the biggest decision of his whole Euro 2024 campaign.
The England boss must cut seven players from the 33-man training group before submitting his final squad of 26 to UEFA by Friday’s 11pm (UK time) deadline. Southgate is expected to break the news to his players on Friday when they are also due to play a friendly with Iceland for a big Euros send-off at Wembley.
Quite how that plays out remains to be seen, and it’s unclear whether any decisions will depend on Friday’s game – but the FA are expected to confirm the squad publicly on Saturday. Word will inevitably creep out as players will already be thinking in their own minds about who will make it and who will miss out.
Adam Wharton looked certain to be cut – but played so well as a substitute against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night that he has given food for thought. It is a cruel process but Southgate has always been determined to avoid a Gazza style La Manga bust-up when the former England midfielder wrecked Glenn Hoddle’s hotel room. So, here is my prediction for the seven at risk of the heartbreaking cut…
Dean Henderson
One of the four keepers will get cut and Southgate will only take three to the Euros. The Crystal Palace keeper looks most at risk with Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale nailed-on for two places.
But Burnley’s James Trafford looks set to get the nod, even though he lost his place for his club towards the end of what turned out to be a relegation season.
Jarrad Branthwaite
The Everton defender is a huge prospect for the long term but is the favourite to get cut from the centre halves.
There are others ahead in the queue but expect him to be back for England’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
Pick your Euros line-up from John Cross’ England squad below…
Jarell Quansah
Gareth Southgate insisted that he wanted to give some young players the experience of being around the squad even if realistically they probably would not go.
After a superb season at Liverpool, Quansah definitely deserved his England call – but the cull looks ominous for him.
Joe Gomez
This is arguably one of the toughest calls – and is by no means set in stone because the likes of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw still need to prove their fitness.
Gomez is such a nice guy, so well liked and would be a dream for any manager to have in a squad. He’s also versatile enough to play across the back four. But if Shaw and Maguire both make it, then defenders are at risk.
Curtis Jones
Another call-up for the seniors for the experience. He has immense talent and shone for the under-21s plus he has a future with the seniors.
But in mentioning and praising the midfield options, Southgate has consistently referenced Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton and Jones just has not made the same impression.
Ivan Toney
Will Southgate really take three No9s? It’s a big call especially when the likes of Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen can also play through the middle.
Toney’s form in the second half of the season was disappointing compared to Ollie Watkins. It’s a big call but Toney may miss the cut if Southgate only takes two centre forwards.
James Maddison
There is always one big call – and this is it. No-one doubts his talent. But he had a patchy season for Tottenham when he was also troubled by injuries.
I did think he was at risk – and then he was excellent as a substitute on Monday night. So maybe he will make Southgate think again.
Hugely talented player but Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Jack Grealish are also in the mix. It might come down to Maddison or Grealish. And who would you take as a game-changer?
Here’s how I think Gareth Southgate will start the first game against Serbia. Marc Guehi will play if Maguire does not make it.
England starting XI for the first game of the Euros (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
Here’s the team I would love to see (but probably would not work as it is too attacking and needs a rock solid, aggressive defence…)
England (4-1-2-2-1)
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice; Bellingham, Foden, (dual No8s); Saka, Gordon; Kane
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