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England manager Gareth Southgate is tasked with choosing a 26-man squad for Euro 2020
International tournament football is nearly upon us with the delayed Euro 2020 just two weeks away and the anticipation across England heightened as Gareth Southgate prepares to name his final squad next week.
Does Trent Alexander-Arnold earn a recall due to his resurgent form for Liverpool? Will Jesse Lingard sneak in after his stunning impact on loan at West Ham? And what about if Harry Maguire and/or Jordan Henderson fail to prove their fitness?
The Three Lions boss was due to name his 26-man party, plus a group of stand-by and training players, for the tournament this week – but it emerged on Monday night that Southgate would announce an extended provisional squad before revealing the final cut on June 1.
This was due to a number of injury concerns, and his Manchester City and Chelsea contingent needing to get through Saturday’s Champions League final first. Manchester United also had a Europa League final to contend with.
Ahead of Southgate’s announcement, Sportsmail’s reporters have run the rule over the Three Lions contenders and named the squads they’d select to deliver glory…
Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) and Jesse Lingard (R) are two of Southgate’s major quandaries
MATT BARLOW
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone.
Defenders: Walker, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Coady, Mings, Shaw, Chilwell.
Midfielders: Rice, Phillips, Henderson, Bellingham, Grealish, Mount, Foden, Lingard.
Forwards: Kane, Calvert-Lewin/Watkins, Sterling, Rashford, Sancho, Greenwood.
It would have been worth trying to tempt Jamie Vardy out of retirement and into the squad to add menace, cunning, desire, and a goal threat. Alas it was was not to be. I’d have taken him ahead of any of the options: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Patrick Bamford or Ollie Watkins, who have all had a good season in the goals.
There’s enough variation to play in different formations. Conor Coady is important if there’s a switch to a back three and versatile full-backs are needed. Reece James is perhaps most unfortunate to miss out due to a surfeit of right-backs but Trent Alexander-Arnold gets the nod, and adds excellence from set-pieces.
It’s important to include Jordan Henderson for his leadership qualities so no room for James Ward-Prowse, but the fewer risks taken with unfit or not-quite-match-fit players the better. Jesse Lingard is selected ahead of Bukayo Saka due to his form in the second part of the season.
Lingard (right) is a contender for the squad after his excellent form on loan at West Ham
ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone.
Defenders: Maguire, Stones, Coady, Walker, James, Trippier, Shaw, Chilwell.
Midfielders: Rice, Phillips, Ward-Prowse, Mount, Foden, Bellingham, Lingard
Forwards: Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Greenwood, Rashford, Grealish, Sancho, Sterling, Saka.
Main dilemma was, after getting 26 names down, how to get Lingard in. Considered picking Saka as the alternative to Luke Shaw and omitting Ben Chilwell.
In the end, went with just three natural centre backs and having versatile options within the squad such as Kyle Walker and Reece James for if a back three is played, one of those centre backs was missing and an extra body was required to make up the three.
Prefer James, Walker and Kieran Trippier as my right back options to Alexander-Arnold, and Henderson has not played since February so he does not make the cut either.
Alexander-Arnold missed the last England squad but may still make it for Euro 2020
DANIEL MATTHEWS
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone
Defenders: Walker, Trippier, Stones, Coady, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Chilwell, Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Rice, Bellingham, Henderson, Phillips (or Ward-Prowse), Grealish, Mount, Foden, Saka
Forwards: Sancho, Sterling, Rashford, Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Greenwood
Johnstone’s form for West Brom should see him take the third goalkeeper spot, opened up by injury to Nick Pope, while I’d include Ward-Prowse if Kalvin Phillips is injured. Easy enough.
Elsewhere, I’ve spent far too long swapping Alexander-Arnold and James. Neither is likely to start but it still feels criminal leaving either out. Alexander-Arnold’s delivery and attacking brilliance vs James’ greater consistency and familiarity with the wing-back role (should Southgate want more tactical flexibility).
It probably comes down to the ‘last 10 minutes’ test. Who would I want coming on for England as a final throw of the dice? Given his set-pieces, you’d have to say Trent.
The same applies further forward – who would you want from Jesse Lingard, Ollie Watkins or Mason Greenwood? Jamie Vardy, probably. But assuming he’s happily retired, I’d take Greenwood who can cover wide too.
Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood is vying for one of the attacking roles with England
SAMI MOKBEL
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone
Defenders: Walker, Trippier, James, Maguire, Stones, Coady, Mings, Chilwell, Shaw.
Midfielders: Rice, Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Foden, Lingard, Bellingham
Forwards: Kane, Sterling, Rashford, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Sancho, Saka
Can debate this until the cows come home but this is what I think Southgate will go for, not necessarily what I would. Alexander-Arnold would certainly go if it were down to me.
Bellingham is another big call, but he has been a breath of fresh air during his breakthrough season and nothing at all appears to faze him.
I would have had Dier in ahead of Mings because of his versatility but that was another tight call, and with the Spurs man missing from the 33 it has to be the Villa stopper.
The versatility of Eric Dier (left) wasn’t enough to land him a place in the England set-up
SIMON JONES
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone.
Defenders: Walker, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Godfrey, Mings, Shaw, Trippier.
Midfielders: Rice, Henderson, Phillips, Bellingham, Grealish, Mount, Foden, Maddison
Forwards: Sterling, Sancho, Rashford, Kane, Watkins, Calvert-Lewin, Greenwood
Ben Godfrey has been excellent for Everton and his versatility adds extra weight to the call for his inclusion at the expense of others. I would also have taken Eric Dier, but Southgate has not selected him in the provisional list.
Jack Grealish has to start, as should Mason Mount and Phil Foden.
With such attacking intent much will rest on the shoulders of Declan Rice providing protection for the back four and anchoring the midfield but he has revelled in the responsibility at West Ham and is arguably the most improved player in the Premier League.
Jack Grealish is pushing for a starting role with England after a super season at Aston Villa
CRAIG HOPE
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone.
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Trippier, Stones, Mings, Maguire, Coady, Shaw, Chilwell
Midfielders: Rice, Phillips, Bellingham, Mount, Grealish, Henderson, Foden, Lingard
Forwards: Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Greenwood, Sterling, Calvert-Lewin
This is my squad, not Southgate’s. Alexander-Arnold is too good to omit from a 26-man squad, if only for his ability to score and create from set-pieces. Who would you want stood over a dead ball in the dying minutes as you chased a goal?
Elsewhere, I would even consider starting with Bellingham should Henderson and Phillips remain fitness doubts.
I also believe Lingard deserves to go for his post-January impact at West Ham. He is a shining example to others of how to resurrect an international career that had appeared over.
Greenwood is the wildcard who could nick a goal from the bench as opponents tire.
Jude Bellingham (left) and Jadon Sancho (right) have shone at Borussia Dortmund this season
JACK GAUGHAN
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Johnstone.
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Coady, Maguire, Mings, Stones, Shaw, Chilwell
Midfielders: Rice, Henderson, Mount, Grealish, Lingard, Phillips, Bellingham, Foden
Forwards: Sterling, Rashford, Kane, Greenwood, Sancho, Saka, Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin just gets the nod over Patrick Bamford as the final attacking option. Mings or Dier was a toss of a coin, but Southgate has made my decision for me. I would also have taken Will Keane, but Conor Coady is the only option in the 33 to provide further centre-back cover.
Alexander-Arnold is in over Trippier, who would be exceptionally unfortunate to miss out.
Phillips should be available and offers extra midfield protection if Henderson’s fitness became an issue.
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