Sorry, Cole, it’s a no from me — and here’s my team for England’s Euro opener
GARETH SOUTHGATE now has two months to consider the final shape of his Euro 2024 squad.
The England boss is due to name a provisional squad on May 24, two days after the Premier League season ends, but before the Champions League and FA Cup finals.
As a result, he will pick an expanded group to train ahead of friendlies against Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be whittled down to 23 by UEFA’s June 7 deadline.
Here is my England team for their Euros opener against Serbia and my final squad for Germany.
GOALKEEPERS Aaron Ramsdale’s misfortune has ensured there is no doubt Jordan Pickford is England’s No1. He has quietly become key to England’s chances this summer, with Ramsdale’s skittish displays when called upon at Arsenal inspiring little confidence that he could seamlessly plug the gap should injury come to strike.
Jack Butland gets the third-keeper slot after Sam Johnstone was ruled out due to his elbow injury.
DEFENDERS England’s first-choice back-four is more or less set, with Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker certain starters, and Luke Shaw likewise, if fit. Kieran Trippier would start at left-back should Shaw fail to recover in time. The questions, then, surround the deputies. Marc Guehi looked the next cab off the rank at centre-back during the autumn, and while missing this month’s fixtures through injury might have harmed his cause, Lewis Dunk made a Horlicks of his and Jarrad Branthwaite did not get one. Joe Gomez is preferred to Ezri Konsa as the other centre-back in my squad.
There is enough insurance to do without an eighth specialist defender, meaning there is no place for Ben Chilwell unless Shaw loses his race to be fit.
MIDFIELDERS Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are bankers, while the question around Trent Alexander-Arnold’s involvement lies in whether Southgate will use him in midfield.
Jordan Henderson remains a key leader and would probably start were England playing a knockout game tomorrow. I’ve instead gone for Kobbie Mainoo (left, last night) in my XI to face Serbia in the hope the youngster can prove himself ready by the latter stages.
Elsewhere, there are a few players — certainly Conor Gallagher and perhaps even Kalvin Phillips — who could just as conceivably start the first game as be left out of the squad entirely. I’ve omitted the pair, though Southgate may find room for Gallagher by sacrificing a winger.
James Maddison showed enough last night to suggest he is worth taking as back-up to Bellingham at No10.
FORWARDS Harry Kane is the leading man and the only debate lies in who plays understudy. It is harsh on Ollie Watkins, but Ivan Toney is a better fit as a Kane-less England’s spearhead.
The wingers pose the biggest headache. Bukayo Saka and Foden are the best of the bunch. Jarrod Bowen took his club form onto the international stage last night, while I’m taking a punt on Jack Grealish finishing the season stronger than Marcus Rashford.
The final place came down to a shootout between Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon. Palmer has been unlucky with the timing of his injury this month and suffers for playing on the right, where England are loaded, so Gordon gets the nod to provide a different option on the left.