Gareth Southgate has plenty to ponder over the coming days after deciding to name an expanded 33-man provisional England squad for Euro 2020.
The England boss will have to cut seven players from his squad by Uefa’s deadline on Tuesday 1 June, 10 days before the tournament gets underway in Rome.
Southgate has injury concerns over a few key players, most notably Jordan Henderson, who missed the final three months of the season after undergoing groin surgery and Harry Maguire, who suffered an ankle injury a few weeks ago.
He will also be keeping a close eye on the performances in training of a few newcomers to the England setup in defenders Ben Godfrey and Ben White and goalkeepers Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale. Godfrey and White will be looking to enhance their chances of inclusion with question marks over Maguire’s fitness.
Southgate acknowledged in his press conference that supporters feel he has an “obsession with right backs” but he defended his decision to name four in his squad, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker all picked. He suggested that all four are capable of playing in multiple positions and stated that Alexander-Arnold has the qualities to be deployed in midfield.
With England set to name their final squad for Euro 2020 on Tuesday 1 June, i runs through the selection dilemmas facing Gareth Southgate and pick the players we expect to be named in the final 26-man list next week.
England’s expected squad for Euro 2020
Goalkeepers:
- Jordan Pickford
- Dean Henderson
- Sam Johnstone
Defenders:
- John Stones
- Harry Maguire
- Tyrone Mings
- Connor Coady
- Kyle Walker
- Kieran Trippier
- Reece James
- Ben Chilwell
- Luke Shaw
Midfielders:
- Mason Mount
- Declan Rice
- Jude Bellingham
- Jordan Henderson
- Jesse Lingard
- Phil Foden
- Kalvin Phillips
- Jack Grealish
Forwards:
- Raheem Sterling
- Marcus Rashford
- Jadon Sancho
- Harry Kane
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Mason Greenwood
The players at risk of missing out
Despite Southgate’s comments about England’s right backs, it is likely that one will make way. Trent Alexander-Arnold could be a high-profile casualty as he was left out of the March internationals, with Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker all preferred.
Of the four, Walker is probably the most secure of his place given he has enjoyed an excellent domestic campaign with Manchester City and is able to play as part of a back three or back four. James has also been utilised as a right-sided centre back in a three-man defence for Chelsea recently which could boost his chances.
Southgate’s comments that training with the squad will be a “fantastic experience” for Ben Godfrey and Ben White suggests that they will have to work hard to secure a place in the final 26, or else rely on one of the other defenders to drop out.
It is likely to be a similar situation for Aaron Ramsdale, who was called up to the squad after Nick Pope was ruled out. Ramsdale endured a difficult campaign with Sheffield United and it would be a major surprise if he was picked with Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone ahead of him in the pecking order.
Southgate is a big fan of James Ward-Prowse, having worked with him previously in his role as England U21 manager, but the Southampton midfielder lacks the defensive qualities of his positional rivals, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson.
Bukayo Saka‘s ability to play in a variety of positions in defence, midfield and attack, could count in his favour. Interestingly, though, he was listed as a forward on England’s official squad announcement and if that is where Southgate sees his best position, it may lead to him missing out as Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are more experienced and Mason Greenwood in better form.
Ollie Watkins retained his place from Southgate’s previous squad and was picked ahead of Danny Ings and Patrick Bamford in the final 33. However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin appears to be Southgate’s favoured backup for Harry Kane and with Rashford, Greenwood and even Phil Foden able to play as a No 9, the Aston Villa forward could drop out.
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England’s Euro 2020 fixtures and dates
Warm-up fixtures:
- England vs Austria – Weds 2 June, 8pm (Riverside)
- England vs Romania – Sun 6 Jun, 5pm (Riverside)
Group stage:
- England vs Croatia – 13 June, 2pm (Wembley)
- England vs Scotland – 18 June, 8pm (Wembley)
- Czech Republic vs England – 22 June, 8pm (Wembley)
If England top Group D, they will play enter the knockout rounds in line with the following schedule:
- Round of 16: TBC – 29 June, 6pm
- Quarter-final: TBC – 3 July, 9pm
- Semi-final: TBC – 7 July, 9pm
- Final: TBC – 11 July, 9pm
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3fLomun
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