Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward-Prowse are among the names expected to be omitted as Gareth Southgate announces his finalised England squad for Euro 2020.
The Three Lions head coach selected 33 players in a provisional squad last week but must cut at least seven names for Uefa’s deadline on Tuesday.
While Southgate was opposed to the decision to expand Euro 2020 squads from 23 to 26 players, it is expected he will use his full quota so as not to put England at a disadvantage.
Some head coaches have opted to start the Euros with a smaller team, most notably Luis Enrique, who left captain Sergio Ramos out of his 24-man Spain squad.
When is England’s squad announced?
Southgate is due to face the media at 6pm on Tuesday in a pre-match press conference for the warm-up against Austria.
It is expected the England squad will be announced before then via the team’s social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) although the exact timing of the squad announcement has not been confirmed.
Uefa’s deadline for all Euro 2020 squads is at 11pm on Tuesday 1 June so Southgate will have to make up his mind by then.
The players at risk of missing out
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.
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
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
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3p9i3oG
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