On Thursday, Gareth Southgate names his final England squad before Euro 2024 ahead of this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
There is little time to make finishing touches to a side that, rightly or wrongly, will go into this summer’s tournament as co-favourites alongside France.
With just 23 making it onto the plane, the Three Lions boss spent Monday night in west London taking in Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle United and casting an eye over six England hopefuls – with varying degrees of success.
PALMER – PASS
It was an unfortunate exchange with Tim Sherwood in his post-match interview – “all you need is some players to play with”, quipped the former Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa boss.
But Sherwood was right, of course, and the fact Cole Palmer has been a rose amongst so many thorns at Chelsea makes it virtually inconceivable that he will not make it to the Euros. The 21-year-old delivered another goal and assist to take his tally to 19 league goal involvements this season.
STERLING – FAIL
Palmer might have had another too, had Raheem Sterling squared it rather than holding on too long before attempting to shoot. Sterling also failed to even get one of his best opportunities on target.
The real question is how much that will actually shape Southgate’s thinking, as the forward has not made one of his squads since the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
Unless there is a chance of manager, it looks increasingly possible that his international career could be over at 29, however much Southgate intimates that the door will always be open.
GORDON – FAIL
On the one hand, Anthony Gordon was unfortunate to suffer a knee injury before he had the chance to impress – but Southgate had probably already seen enough.
There is no doubt about his attacking capabilities – 10 goals and five assists in all competitions – but question marks will be raised against his positioning.
Had Gordon not given Malo Gusto free rein down the right, Nicolas Jackson’s opener inside six minutes would not have happened (Sven Botman was an even guiltier party for clearing Gusto’s cross to Palmer, who delivered the assist). Gordon was having such difficulties with Gusto that he switched wings before going off.
LIVRAMENTO – PASS
Newcastle’s man of the match against his former club. Replacing the injured Kieran Trippier at club level and could soon do the same for the national side.
He is still eligible to play for Scotland and Portugal (through his mother and father respectively) but he has come up through the age groups with England and all the indications are that is where his senior allegiances will lie.
BURN – FAIL
Given England’s dearth of options at left-back, Burn has been mooted as an outside prospect but hardly boosted his chances here. Failed to block Gusto’s shot for the opener and struggled with Palmer all night, albeit he did not have enough protection in front of him until Miguel Almiron stepped in.
Who Southgate turns to instead is unclear. Luke Shaw is out for months with a leg injury, Ben Chilwell was absent again on Monday night and England could head into the Euros having to rely on Rico Lewis, Fikayo Tomori, or ask Trippier to switch flanks.
GALLAGHER – PASS
Set up Mykhailo Mudryk’s brilliant finish and looked energetic as ever, despite missing three days of training last week with a virus. Chelsea’s dire financial fair play situation means Gallagher faces a summer of uncertainty but there can be little ambiguity over his England place.
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