Gareth Southgate has named a 26-man England squad with a mix of “exciting” youngsters and “outstanding” older heads that he hopes can reach at least the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Southgate’s squad will be one of the youngest at the competition with two teenagers – 17-year-old Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham and the versatile Bukayo Saka, 19, from Arsenal – both included.
The England boss had originally named a provisional 33-man squad for the warm-up matches against Austria and Romania to compensate for the absence of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United players who had been in action in European finals.
Of the additional seven players selected, Brighton defender Ben White has since been named in the final 26-man squad as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold who went off injured during the 1-0 win over Austria last week.
White has been selected due to concerns over Harry Maguire’s fitness and his inclusion appears to give England more balance after four right backs had initially been picked. Alexander-Arnold was one of them alongside Kyle Walker and Reece James, who have been used in a back three for their clubs and Kieran Trippier, who can also play on the left.
Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings have been chosen as back-ups to expected first-choice centre-backs John Stones and Maguire, with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell at left-back.
Bellingham is joined in midfield by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, West Ham’s Declan Rice and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips. Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are the creative midfield options, with Saka one of six forwards listed in the squad alongside Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harry Kane.
The Three Lions will be led by Kane as they take on Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic in Group D. The tournament begins on 11 June with England’s first match against Croatia kicking off two days later.
England Euro 2020 squad – in full
- 1. Jordan Pickford
- 2. Kyle Walker
- 3. Luke Shaw
- 4. Declan Rice
- 5. John Stones
- 6. Harry Maguire
- 7. Jack Grealish
- 8. Jordan Henderson
- 9. Harry Kane
- 10. Raheem Sterling
- 11. Marcus Rashford
- 12. Kieran Trippier
- 13. Aaron Ramsdale
- 14. Kalvin Phillips
- 15. Tyrone Mings
- 16. Conor Coady
- 17. Jadon Sancho
- 18. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- 19. Mason Mount
- 20. Phil Foden
- 21. Ben Chilwell
- 22. Ben White
- 23. Sam Johnstone
- 24. Reece James
- 25. Bukayo Saka
- 26. Jude Bellingham
Goalkeepers:
All stats correct as of 7 June 2021
1. Jordan Pickford (Everton) Age: 27, Caps: 31
Pickford has produced some impressive work in the second half of Everton’s mixed bag of a season and looks set to be first choice in goal for his country again this summer, as he was at the 2018 World Cup when England’s memorable campaign included him saving a penalty in the last-16 shoot-out triumph against Colombia.
13. Dean Henderson (Manchester United) Age: 24, Caps: 1
After two fine seasons on loan at Sheffield United, Henderson has this term been vying for the No 1 spot back at Manchester United with David De Gea, and his game time has included 13 Premier League appearances. His sole senior England cap to date came in the 3-0 friendly win against the Republic of Ireland in November.
23. Sam Johnstone (West Brom) Age: 28, Caps: 1
Uncapped Johnstone has been one of the stand-out performers in the West Brom team whose season ended in relegation from the Premier League. He received his first call-up to the England squad in March and makes the cut for the Euros in the absence of Burnley’s Nick Pope, who is out injured.
Defenders:
2. Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Age: 31, Caps: 55, Goals: 0
The versatile, experienced defender heads to the Euros on the back of another successful season with City. He returned to the England fold in 2020-21, marking his first international appearance in over a year with a red card against Iceland in September, before reaching the 50-cap mark the following month against Belgium.
12. Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) Age: 30, Caps: 28, Goals: 1
The full-back, one of the stars of the 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia, returned to action with Atletico in March after a ban for breaching Football Association betting rules, and went on to help them secure La Liga glory.
24. Reece James (Chelsea) Age: 21, Caps: 6, Goals: 0
Right-back James’ rapid rise over the past couple of years has seen him go from a loan spell in the Championship with Wigan to establishing himself as a key player for Chelsea, and his England breakthrough came last October with a maiden call-up and appearance against Wales. He was then one of two players sent off in that month’s 1-0 loss to Denmark.
6. Harry Maguire (Manchester United) Age: 28, Caps: 32, Goals: 3
Centre-back Maguire is included despite missing the final four Premier League games of United’s season with ankle ligament damage. He was the other red-carded player in the Denmark game in October, and has also scored twice for England this term, including a late winner against Poland in March – his first international goals since netting in the World Cup quarter-final victory over Sweden almost three years ago.
5. John Stones (Manchester City) Age: 27, Caps: 42, Goals: 2
Stones has had an impressive resurgence in 2020-21, playing a crucial role alongside centre-back partner Ruben Dias for City and being rewarded with an England recall in March, returning to the set-up for the first time since 2019. The 2-1 win over Poland saw Stones’ error punished by Jakub Moder’s equaliser before he made amends with a headed assist for Maguire’s winner.
15. Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) Age: 28, Caps: 10, Goals: 0
Mings has been a key figure for Villa as they have made progress in the last two-and-a-half seasons, and he completed his journey from non-league to international football with his first England call-up in September 2019. He has won six of his eight caps so far in the past nine months.
16. Conor Coady (Wolves) Age: 28, Caps: 5, Goals: 1
Coady received his first senior England call-up in September last year, making his debut away against Denmark. The 3-0 Wembley win against Wales the following month proved a night to remember for the Wolves skipper, who got on the scoresheet and ended the contest wearing the captain’s armband.
21. Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) Age: 24, Caps: 14, Goals: 0
Chilwell looks to be battling with Luke Shaw to be England’s first-choice left-back at the tournament having continued to shine at club level with Chelsea following his move from Leicester last summer.
3. Luke Shaw (Manchester United) Age: 25, Caps: 10, Goals: 0
Shaw has enjoyed a revival in the 2020-21 season, and his appearance in the 2-0 win in Albania in March was the first time he had played for England since September 2018.
22. Ben White (Brighton) Age: 23, Caps: 2, Goals: 0
White was a surprise selection in Southgate’s provisional squad but impressed during both of England’s warm-up matches, as a holding midfielder against Austria and as a centre back against Romania. He has played consistently in a back three for Brighton this season.
Midfielders:
8. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Age: 30, Caps: 59, Goals: 0
Liverpool’s captain in their title-winning season, Henderson featured during England’s Nations League matches in the autumn but has been injured since February. Could be a crucial leader in the Three Lions’ midfield if he can prove his fitness.
4. Declan Rice (West Ham) Age: 22, Caps: 17, Goals: 1
After switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019, Rice has played 15 times for England, scoring one goal, and was a crucial part of West Ham’s successful season which saw them secure a place in the Europa League.
14. Kalvin Phillips (Leeds) Age: 25, Caps: 8, Goals: 0
Phillips has suffered with a shoulder injury in the build up to Euro 2020 but started all three of England’s World Cup qualifiers in March having made his debut last year. He has made 37 appearances for Leeds, scoring in their final game of the season.
26. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) Age: 17, Caps: 4, Goals: 0
Having represented England throughout the youth levels from the Under-16s upwards, Bellingham made his England debut in November 2020. In his first season at Borussia Dortmund, he finished strongly with three goals in his last nine games.
19. Mason Mount (Chelsea) Age: 22, Caps: 16, Goals: 4
Mount has been a key part of Chelsea’s top-four campaign this term, scoring six goals, and playing in every Premier League game for the club this year. He has also played 10 games for England this season.
7. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) Age: 25, Caps: 7, Goals: 0
Grealish has five caps to his name and captained Aston Villa on the final day of the season against Chelsea after missing 12 matches through injury. If the midfielder can stay fit, he looks to be on track for a key role in the squad.
20. Phil Foden (Manchester City) Age: 21, Caps: 6, Goals: 2
The midfielder has just won a third Premier League title and impressed for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, scoring 18 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions.
Forwards:
9. Harry Kane (Tottenham) Age: 27, Caps: 53, Goals: 34
The captain and talisman won the Premier League’s golden boot with 23 goals and topped the assist charts with 14 in another stellar season despite Tottenham’s mediocre campaign. Southgate will hope a summer of wrangling over a major transfer away from Spurs does not affect his focus.
25. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Age: 19, Caps: 5, Goals: 1
At the age of just 19, the versatile Saka has arguably been Arsenal’s player of the season for 2020-21. He was handed his England debut in October, starting the friendly against Wales.
10. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) Age: 26, Caps: 61, Goals: 14
Slipped down the pecking order with City with Guardiola still demanding more from the pacy, talented forward. Guardiola wants Sterling to boost his conversion rate when it comes to goals, but he will always stretch defences.
11. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) Age: 23, Caps: 41, Goals: 12
The numbers of 11 goals and nine assists in the league barely scratch the surface on a remarkable year for a 23-year-old who took on the Government and forced a change in policy over free school meals, and he continues to campaign tirelessly against child hunger.
17. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) Age: 21, Caps: 19, Goals: 3
Fired his club to a German cup triumph with two goals in the final to cap another impressive campaign. Continues to court serious interest from Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea.
18. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) Age: 24, Caps: 9, Goals: 4
A 16-goal Premier League season remains a solid return from a powerful, line-leading striker who can offer more than capable back-up to Kane.
The players who missed out
Southgate’s comments that training with the provisional squad would be a “fantastic experience” for Ben Godfrey and White suggested they always had their work cut out to dislodge more experienced players like Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady. Ultimately, White impressed the England boss more than the Everton man and has benefited from Alexander-Arnold’s withdrawal.
It was a similar situation for Aaron Ramsdale, who was called up to the provisional squad after Nick Pope was ruled out. Ramsdale endured a difficult campaign with Sheffield United and it would have been 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, counted in his favour as he was picked ahead of Jesse Lingard, despite the latter having a storming end to the season on loan at West Ham.
The last man to be cut was Ollie Watkins. While Mason Greenwood‘s withdrawal through injury apepared to open the door for the Aston Villa man to go as one of three centre-forwards alongside captain Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Southgate opted to select an extra defender instead.
Speaking after the announcement of his squad, Southgate praised Watkins, Lingard and Ward-Prowse for their professionalism and hinted they could still have a role to play this summer.
“Of course that’s always difficult,” Southgate said of letting them know the bad news. “You know what a big thing it is for a player to go to a major tournament and those three boys have really been valuable members of our squad.
“I gave them all the option if they didn’t want to stay with the group to go home, but they were all adamant [they wanted to stay].
“They value being with England, they want to be part of the squad, they know that we’ve still got two [warm-up] matches to play, which they will be involved in, and if we pick up injuries that group are the ones who are on standby.
“I’m always mindful with what happened with Trevor Sinclair in Japan [at the 2002 World Cup] that things can change very suddenly.”
How did England announce the squad?
What did Southgate say about his squad?
Southgate reconnected the England team to a disillusioned fanbase during the run to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup and knows he is now expected to deliver a similar result – or better – during a tournament played out largely in front of home fans.
“Yes, it probably will,” he said when asked if anything less than reaching the final stages of the competition would be seen as a failure.
“I think we’re realistic about that, we have to live with that expectation. We know the excitement around the team and it’s great, we’re now relevant.
“Expectations were lower [in Russia]. We’ve got some exciting players – that’s the challenge.
“I’ve got to try to manage the expectations for the players, I accept the situation as a manager, there’s expectation, I have to deliver.
“We have to deliver as a group of staff, it’s not about me in terms of if we can be successful. But, of course, it’s about me if we fail. No problem, that’s the gig.”
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