(Football news) Three Lions manager’s roster. England’s Euro 2024 campaign will get underway on June 16 with a draw against Group C foes Serbia.
On June 20 and June 25, respectively, Denmark and Slovenia will be up next. Two friendlies are scheduled for the beginning of June by Southgate’s team ahead of the Euros. On June 3, the Three Lions will play Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park, four days before Iceland visits Wembley.
Over the next few weeks, as many as seven or perhaps ten players might be cut from the squad. Southgate has selected a group that is full of young potential and experience, with a few conspicuous absences.
Jordan Pickford’s number two, Aaron Ramsdale, has not been affected by his lack of playing time for Arsenal, and Dean Henderson has also made the cut thanks to an injury to Sam Johnstone, his Crystal Palace teammate. James Trafford of Burnley, who lost his spot in the starting lineup toward the end of the season, is chosen as Southgate’s fourth reserve goalkeeper despite Rangers’ Jack Butland’s outstanding performances.
However, Trafford will probably be one of the players cut for the tournament. Luke Shaw is chosen as well as defensive mainstays Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Marc Guehi, and Lewis Dunk, despite the Manchester United player’s prolonged absence from action in recent months owing to injury.
Three Merseyside-based back-up players have also been called up by Southgate, including Jarrad Branthwaite, who was excellent for Everton in 2023–24, and Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah of Liverpool, the latter of whom has not yet made his senior debut for his country. Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa, who helped the Lions qualify for the Champions League, also makes the 33-man training squad.
However, Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, Reece James, and Ben Chilwell are left to complain about their ongoing fitness issues. Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan is also left out, and right-back Ben White of Arsenal, who declared himself unavailable for selection earlier this year, will also not play for his country at the Euros.
The midfield group has just six players, including Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, who impressed in his two debuts for England in March, and vice captain Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool along with teammate Curtis Jones. Adam Wharton is also called up, benefiting from the absence of Jordan Henderson of Ajax, who Southgate had previously shown steadfast allegiance to despite harsh criticism of his Saudi Arabia transfer.
Henderson was instrumental in Crystal Palace’s incredible finale to the campaign. As anticipated, Kalvin Phillips, a regular for Euro 2020, is not included in the list of 12 attackers, which also includes Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur, and Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace.
Jack Grealish of Manchester City is in despite having a lackluster season, while Marcus Rashford, who has performed noticeably worse at home while wearing a Manchester United shirt this year, is not going to Germany.
Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are expected to serve as Harry Kane’s backup players for a few more weeks, which means Dominic Solanke is also left off despite scoring 19 Premier League goals for Bournemouth in 2023–2024.
England provisional squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
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