England Euro 2024 Squad and Discussion

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BabySinclair

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So how would look your squad???

Of course some names have "only a small chance" or "no chance at all" to be in the squad but sometimes there is a surprise (Walcott for the World Cup 2006) and some posters have their favourite players ;-)

First of all these players are injured
Pope
Johnstone
White (He is not injured but he is out for obvious reasons)
Mings
Ramsey
Chukwuemeka

GOALKEEPERS
Pickford
Ramsdale
D.Henderson
Trafford
Steele

RIGHT-BACKS
Walker
Alexander-Arnold
James
Trippier
Lewis
Livramento

CENTRE-BACKS
Stones
Maguire
Guehi
Branthwaite
Tomori
Dier
Gomez
Dunk
Konsa
Chalobah
Colwill
Tarkowski
Smalling
Quansah
Kilman

LEFT-BACKS
Shaw
Chilwell
Mitchell

CENTRAL DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Rice
Mainoo
J.Henderson
Gallagher
Phillips
Ward-Prowse
Jones
Gomes
Garner
Wharton

CENTRAL ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS
Bellingh️am
Foden
Saka
Rashford
Grealish
Palmer
Maddison
Bowen
Eze
Sterling
Gordon
Sancho
Mount
Loftus-Cheek
Gibbs White
Elliott
Rogers
Madueke
Greenwood
Bynoe-Gittens
Barnes
Illing-Junior
Edwards

STRIKERS
Kane
Watkins
Toney
Wilson
Solanke
Calvert-Lewin
Nketiah

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My squad
Pickford
Ramsdale
D.Henderson

Walker
Alexander-Arnold
James

Stones
Maguire
Guehi
Branthwaite

Shaw
Chilwell

Rice
Mainoo
Gallagher
Wharton

Bellingh️am
Foden
Saka
Rashford
Grealish
Palmer
Bowen
Gordon

Kane
Watkins

My starting XI: Pickford - Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw - Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden - Kane

On paper only France and Southgate can stop this squad to win the Euros in my opinion.

All four forwards in my starting XI have at least 35 or more G/A this season.......plus you have players like Palmer (41), Watkins (40), Bowen (30) or Gordon (23) from the bench.

Of course there are a few injury doubts (Especially about Shaw) but right now Southgate can pick the best available squad (If Shaw is out then Mitchell or Trippier wouldn't be the worst options) and this would be so important.
 
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Preliminary squad supposed to be announced at about 2pm.

Who should be on the plane?
 
I reckon Bellingham should probably be on the plane.
 
GK: Pickford, Henderson, Ramsdale
DF: Walker, Alexander-Arnold, Trippier, Shaw, Chilwell, Stones, Maguire, Guehi, Konsa
MF: Rice, Bellingham, Mainoo, Gallagher, Maddison
FW: Kane, Watkins, Foden, Gordon, Saka, Palmer

I think that is probably the 23 that Southgate would have chosen if it was 23-man squad. Maybe Grealish, Toney, or Rashford would get in over Gordon/Watkins. Maybe he would go with Reece James over a full back, or pick White/Gomez, but I think it's very close.

Given he can choose 26, I think there's a lot of difficult decisions for him to make over those players. I don't think he will pick Eze or Bowen even in a 26-man squad, he would turn to one of the above forwards or Sterling even. I think he might take 10 defenders because players like Trent & Stones are flexible in their ability to go and play midfield if we ended up with crazy injuries there (I think our midfield is incredibly strong but has the least strength in depth out of the areas of the squad). Jones/Elliot/Ward-Prowse may even be considered for that reason of preferring a specialist midfielder for that role in the squad. White & Gomez would basically offer a similar role of being a highly flexible defender who can play across the backline and depending on fitness of the likes of Shaw, Chilwell, and James they might end up getting in anyway.

Despite players like Solanke, Wilson, Calvert-Lewin, and even Nketiah having some quality and/or strong seasons, I honestly don't think they even get a look in. If Southgate takes 3 out-and-out centre forwards it's Kane, Watkins, and Toney. And I think he only takes two.

So, I'd say three from quite a big list - Grealish, Rashford, Toney, Sterling, Ward-Prowse, Elliot, Jones, White, and Gomez.

For what it's worth, I'd rather we took Branthwaite over most of the defenders mentioned, but Gareth didn't even sub him on in the last friendlies. Unless he's had a sudden change of heart, I find it difficult to see him going. I'm more-so trying to predict who he will pick and I don't think it'll be too far off that. I'd really struggle to pick the next best CB after Stones, Maguire, and Branthwaite (IMO the first three picks at the moment), it's very close.
 
England's big problem will be LB.

Shaw's pretty much been ruled out hasn't he? Not played a single game since February and exactly the sort who'd quickly break down having to start matches in quick succession.

Chilwell is fit (I think) but he was rubbish in the March games, constantly overhitting crosses. Not playing much for Chelsea.

Think we'll see Trippier at LB in this tournament but he looked off the pace in the Man. United game so not 100% after his recent lay off.

Basically any opposition needs to play their quickest players down the right and you will create good chances against England in this tournament.
 
duffer said:
Which 2 out of Foden, Saka, Palmer or Gordon does he drop for them?
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I reckon he could drop Toney for Eze so you have Kane and Watkins as the strikers and then if both get injured you have Gordon or Palmer who can both play up front if desperate. Realistically that won't happen and it is a position which is too stacked.
 
I'm not sure how I feel about Reece James.

After (another) long spell out, would it be good for him to go? He hasn't played 90 minutes for almost an entire season.
 
FootballHQ said:
England's big problem will be LB.

Shaw's pretty much been ruled out hasn't he? Not played a single game since February and exactly the sort who'd quickly break down having to start matches in quick succession.

Chilwell is fit (I think) but he was rubbish in the March games, constantly overhitting crosses. Not playing much for Chelsea.

Think we'll see Trippier at LB in this tournament but he looked off the pace in the Man. United game so not 100% after his recent lay off.

Basically any opposition needs to play their quickest players down the right and you will create good chances against England in this tournament.
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Aye, the left flank is a problem. The LB options are weak. If Foden is on the left, then he is unlikely to operate as an orthodox outside-left so you'd want a left-back that can overlap naturally. Trippier constantly cutting onto his stronger right foot will kill England's attacking momentum. Of course he could resolve the tactical problem by using Foden and Bellingham centrally and then playing a more traditional winger on the left wing such as Grealish, but I think he's too risk averse for that.
 
I'd take Doughty for LB if you have an inverted LW but the worry about him is a back four and no experience.
 
Saka started off as a LB so if we are really stretched he could do a job there and be a massive attacking threat but he is our best option on the RW.
 
Think he might actually call Eze to have a left side playmaker. 26 men squad sure helps with that.

Shaw's fitness is THE question mark

Southgate will call:
Pickford, Ramsdale, Whatever
Walker, Slabhead, Stones, Dier, Gomez, Trippier
Rice, Mainoo, Henderson, Gallagher, TAA
Jude, Foden, Saka, Palmer, Bowen
Kane, Watkins

Shaw and James go if fit, if not Konsa and maybe Collwil. Then 3 of Maddison, Eze, Rashford, Graelish, Toney and Solanke. This will also be impacted by Shaw and James, particularly the former

I dunno if Sterling is a possibility, if he is then he's also in the running

Dier because he doubles as Rice's backup, and Henderson for dressing room reasons, don't expect he'll play
 
I think CB, LB and LW are up in the air.

My dead cert picks would be:

GK: Pickford, Ramsdale, D. Henderson
Def: Walker, TAA, Maguire, Stones
Mid: Rice, Bellingham, Mainoo,
Att: Kane, Saka, Foden, Palmer, Gordon, Watkins

There's another 10 places left and after that, I wouldn't be too fussed who does or doesn't make it, to be honest. I actually found this really tough and I'd probably change my mind with a few of them with deeper thought. I'd probably go with these extras though:

Def: Konsa, Chilwell (fortunate but makes it by default), Shaw (if fit), Branthwaite, Gomez
Mid: Gallagher, Maddison, Eze, Jones
Att: Bowen

Ben White would definitely be in my squad if he wants to be there.
 
Talk Henderson completely misses out of the enlarged squad.

I think Mainoo starts this summer tbh.
 
giorno said:
Think he might actually call Eze to have a left side playmaker. 26 men squad sure helps with that.

Shaw's fitness is THE question mark

Southgate will call:
Pickford, Ramsdale, Whatever
Walker, Slabhead, Stones, Dier, Gomez, Trippier
Rice, Mainoo, Henderson, Gallagher, TAA
Jude, Foden, Saka, Palmer, Bowen
Kane, Watkins

Shaw and James go if fit, if not Konsa and maybe Collwil. Then 3 of Maddison, Eze, Rashford, Graelish, Toney and Solanke. This will also be impacted by Shaw and James, particularly the former

I dunno if Sterling is a possibility, if he is then he's also in the running

Dier because he doubles as Rice's backup, and Henderson for dressing room reasons, don't expect he'll play
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I wouldn't even both taking Reece James, even if he is fit. He's just not played enough and with Walker, TAA and Trippier (also had injuries but can cover LB) available I don't see the real benefit in him being there.
 
The word is Colwill will be called up due to injuries in defense. He hasn’t played a minute since March 2nd.
 
FootballHQ said:
Talk Henderson completely misses out of the enlarged squad.

I think Mainoo starts this summer tbh.
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It will be TAA next to Rice in midfield imo

Also Jude may nominally start from the left IF Shaw is fit. If not, it will be interesting how Southgate will try to fit the pieces to the puzzle
 
Forgot about Colwill. He's played a bit at LB this season for Chelsea so probably goes as cover.
 
giorno said:
It will be TAA next to Rice in midfield imo

Also Jude may nominally start from the left IF Shaw is fit. If not, it will be interesting how Southgate will try to fit the pieces to the puzzle
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Think only time TAA has played in central midfield for England from the start was v Andorra and it didn't look any good against that opposition.

Southgate is the last manager who'd start experimenting in an actual tournament. I think the front 6 is fairly settled as Rice-Mainoo-Bellingham-Foden-Kane-Saka.
 
top1whoisman said:
That’s not really a surprise. Even when it’s Southgate we’re talking about.
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You would hope he will take players who are actually fit, not take some on the hope they will be fit. I know Luke Shaw is probably his best LB, but he is now injured again and can take time getting back to full fitness. A tournament is not the best place to risk that.
 
DomesticTadpole said:
You would hope he will take players who are actually fit, not take some on the hope they will be fit. I know Luke Shaw is probably his best LB, but he is now injured again and can take time getting back to full fitness. A tournament is not the best place to risk that.
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I agree. I guess the bigger squads means that he can gamble on a couple of players. Just wish it wasn’t our players.
 
DomesticTadpole said:
You would hope he will take players who are actually fit, not take some on the hope they will be fit. I know Luke Shaw is probably his best LB, but he is now injured again and can take time getting back to full fitness. A tournament is not the best place to risk that.
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With a 26 man squad, you can probably afford to gamble on the fitness of one or two. If he isn't fit then then he just doesn't make the matchday squad (which is 23 players). Maguire was a bit different, but he was taken to the last Euros when he wasn't even available for the first couple of games.
 
FootballHQ said:
England's big problem will be LB.

Shaw's pretty much been ruled out hasn't he? Not played a single game since February and exactly the sort who'd quickly break down having to start matches in quick succession.

Chilwell is fit (I think) but he was rubbish in the March games, constantly overhitting crosses. Not playing much for Chelsea.

Think we'll see Trippier at LB in this tournament but he looked off the pace in the Man. United game so not 100% after his recent lay off.

Basically any opposition needs to play their quickest players down the right and you will create good chances against England in this tournament.
Click to expand...

I'd don't know why he wouldn't just bring Doughty, Dan Burn or Colwill for left back and forget about Shaw and Chilwell altogether. Dan Burn has been really good for Newcastle there and Doughy has had a brilliant season for Luton. Doughty for 352/532 and Burn for 442/433. Colwill also has a had a good season for Brighton and he could probably do a job in either formation.

Italy won the last Euro's with fecking Emerson Palmieri at left back. It's always more about having balance than trying to plug holes in International football.
 
So far some of the names to be included in the provisional squad.

Included: Bowen, Colwill, Shaw, Trafford, C. Jones, Eze, Wharton, Guehi, D Henderson, Mainoo

Omissions: J. Henderson, Chilwell, Sterling
 
saivet said:
Is it an defensive crisis or just a LB one?

I think there is enough cover at RB and CB and the main players will be fit (Walker, Maguire and Stones).
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I believe Colwill has played mostly at LB or LCB whenever he has played for Chelsea this season — probably why he’s the one ‘benefiting from the crisis’
 
saivet said:
Chilwell misses out
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Must be gambling on Shaw maybe playing the friendlies. Otherwise that's a very uncertain position in terms of experience and quality from the options left.
 
FootballHQ said:
Must be gambling on Shaw maybe playing the friendlies. Otherwise that's a very uncertain position in terms of experience and quality from the options left.
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Yeah I think it's basically going to be Shaw, Colwill or Trippier at LB this summer, probably in that order.
 
duffer said:
Which 2 out of Foden, Saka, Palmer or Gordon does he drop for them?
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Eze has higher G&A than Gordon, not far behind Saka and plays for an infinitely lesser team but I wouldn't take 3 keepers personally - Can't think of a time its ever been beneficial and more attacking players allow you more scope to change a game

Rooney in Paris said:
Isn't Olise gonna represent France?
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He wasn't called up so no harm in going down that route.
 
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