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Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions head to the 2024 European Championships with the hopes of winning a major trophy for the first time in 58 years.
England enter the tournament on the back of a very commanding qualification period and for sure stand as one of the tournament’s favorites.
Gareth Southgate has named his final 26 contingent for the event with names like Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Curtis Jones, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarell Quansah and James Trafford bearing the brunt from the preliminary provisional squad.
With the array of stars at his disposal and their fine form this campaign, excuses may not be taken from Gareth Southgate and his backroom staff if the Three Lions fail to go all the way.
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Backdrop
The English national team have suffered unfortunate fates in recent years getting crashed out of the 2018 world cup by Croatia at the semi-final stage and consequently losing the 3rd place encounter to the Red Devils of Belgium.
Four years later in Qatar 2022, it followed another heartbreak losing to eventual finalists France as Harry Kane missed a late penalty.
On asking in the last European Championships, the English NT went all the way to the final and losing at the death during the shootouts against defending champions Italy.
The 2024 Euros comes as a most appropriate test to finally enrich the nation’s fate since Bobby Moore lifted the 1966 World Cup.
Gareth’s defensive deputies
Assuredly, Jordan Pickford will retain the spot in between the sticks having been the Three Lions long term shot-stopper. Pickford’s fine form helped keep Everton in the running in the English premier league despite the points deductions incurred. Also, racking up the next most clean sheets behind Arsenal’s David Raya.
Harry Maguire was dropped from the provisional squad having not totally shaken off the effects of a lingering calf injury. Jarrad Branthwaite is a shocking omission from the list on the back of a fine individual campaign with Everton.
As it stands, Kyle Walker and John Stones look like sure names amongst a likely defensive four with the remaining players battling it out for the remaining spots available.
The midfield conundrum
This part of the team will take the most headache from the tinkering unit. Gareth Southgate chose to initially name Trent Alexander-Arnold amongst this contingent while Jude Bellingham was named further forward amongst the attackers in tandem with his very familiar role at Real Madrid.
Declan Rice holds the keys to the middle of the park and eill of course take charge as England’s anchorman. Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are making waves as the youth in the team but it seemingly looks the sheer quality of Trent Alexander-Arnold will be too good to drop and as such might take the role beside Rice. For extra energy and running around, Conor Gallagher might be called upon.
Firepower
Jude Bellingham would likely take the spot in front of a double pivot with James Maddison’s assured absence. Bukayo Saka has commanded the right spot of Arsenal’s attack over the years and looks set to retain the role ahead of the tournament.
Gareth Southgate has often reiterated it’s difficult for Premier League player of the year Phil Foden to take a central spot in the Three Lions first team. As such, coming off the left hand side at the expense of Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon cannot be ruled out.
Despite Ollie Watkins fine form in the 2023/2024 premier league, and Ivan Toney’s return to first team action following his gambling ban, skipper Harry Kane will undoubtedly take the spot as the team’s topman.
The European Golden Shoe winner won the Bundesliga top scorer award in his first season at Bayern Munich and would be hopeful to continue this fine form in the hopes of winning a first major career trophy.
Gareth Southgate’s final squad for the European Championships:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Adam Wharton, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney.
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