My England Squad for Euro 2024

There has been much debate among England fans about who should be on the plane for the UEFA Euros in Germany this summer. In this article, I give my 26-man squad for The Three Lions.

DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion, if you disagree, get in the comments and tell me what you would change about my squad.

The debate around who Gareth Southgate should select for his England squad when each major tournament rolls around is one of the biggest in football. Pickford or Ramsdale, Trent or Reece James, the debate is endless. However, this is something that I am going to stop here. Not what Southgate should pick, but what I would pick if I had the privilege of managing England.

1 - Jordan Pickford, Everton: A fairly obvious pick, England’s non-negotiable starting goalkeeper since the Russia World Cup has continued his heroics with Everton this term with 13 clean sheets in all competitions. Pickford would be my starting keeper, but the debate around who would deputise for him is more complex…

2 - Jack Butland, Rangers: This is one of a few left-field shouts, but Butland has had an outstanding season for Rangers this season. The goalkeeper position is all about confidence and playing games. Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope have had limited minutes this season, whereas Butland has played 55 games this season, made 25 clean sheets and only conceded 43 all season. He may be playing in the Scottish League, but these are remarkable numbers nonetheless. It is unlikely that Southgate will select him but if it were up to me the former Manchester United man would be second choice behind Pickford.

3 - Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal: Despite his game time being limited this season, Ramsdale is still one of the most exciting goalkeeping prospects in the world. There is an argument for Nick Pope or Sam Johnston, but these keepers have been injured for large portions of the season. Ramsdale, due to his lack of playing time, is a match-fit and for a third-choice keeper, this is all you need.

4 - John Stones, Manchester City: Arguably the nation’s finest centre-back, Stones is a nailed-on starter alongside Maguire. He has had injury issues this season but his ability to step up into midfield could prove vital if anything were to happen to Declan Rice.

5 - Harry Maguire, Manchester United: Controversial figure Maguire certainly splits opinion. The former Manchester United captain has been one of the Red Devil’s better players this season, even winning the Premier League’s November Player of the Month award. Crucially, Maguire has never let England down, and if anything it would seem unfair to not give him a place on the plane.

6 - Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton: Real Madrid and Everton are two clubs with more links than you might think. Carlo Ancelotti has managed both, and James Rodriguez has played for both. Most relevantly, Everton centre-back Branthwaite has been linked to not just Real Madrid, but Manchester United as well. The 21-year-old oozes class, and while he shouldn’t necessarily start, he is a good option off the bench.

7 - Kyle Walker, Manchester City: Walker is a member of the small group of players on this list that every England fan would say must be in the squad. Not many defenders can claim to have kept Kylian Mbappé under lock and key for a full 90 minutes, but Walker is not any old defender. There have been many attempts over the years to reinvent the full-back role, from attacking full-backs to inverted. These phases have come and gone, and yet Kyle Walker remains one of Pep Guardiola’s, and Gareth Southgate’s trusted generals.

8 - Keiran Trippier, Newcastle United: Trippier is expected to return before the end of this season, meaning that he should be back in time for the tournament in Germany. At the time of writing, the Newcastle skipper has 10 league assists, the joint second most in the league. From right back. He provides crucial attacking output for England, and he provides crucial depth at both left back and right back.

9 - Alfie Doughty, Luton Town: At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if some devices were broken out of confusion and anger that I have put forward Doughty. However, his crossing ability is superb and has picked up 8 assists this season (the most in the Luton squad this season). He has also created 35 chances this season, numbers that are higher than some big-name Premier League players. He can also do a shift on the left side of midfield, which like so many players in this squad means that he is vital for the depth of the squad.

10 - Joe Gomez, Liverpool: The 26-year-old Liverpool defender has had something of a remontada this season. A man who has been on the fringes of the Liverpool set-up for most of his career, Gomez has really come into his own this season. He can play all across the back line and has helped bring defensive solidity back to the Reds. Something of a swiss army knife for his country, Gomez’s versatility makes him a superb option off the bench.

11 - Declan Rice, Arsenal: Another member of the class who is on the plane without question. Rice has been a revelation this season, slotting into Arsenal’s midfield like he has been there his whole life. He is particularly important for England considering our lack of depth in his position. His leadership is also key, carrying the ball effortlessly through midfield and striking the ball with real venom when he gets the chance.

12 - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool: Trent certainly splits opinion, on the one hand an amazing passer of the ball in the world, but on the other hand he is a defender who cannot defend. Ultimately, the question with Trent comes to where he plays, does he start at right back and invert into the midfield, or does he start there to begin with? There is no question, however, that the scouser should start somewhere for England.

13 - Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid: BELIGOL! BELIGOOOOL! Jude Bellingham is one of the best in the world right now. A Balon D’Or contender without question, the midfielder arrived in the Spanish Capital for 100 million pounds in the summer and has fit the challenge of playing for Real Madrid like a glove. 18 goals in 26 league games is a testament to his abilities in front of goal, but he can play as a box-to-box midfielder and a defensive midfielder equally as well.

14 - James Maddison, Tottenham Hotspur: There is no doubt that Maddison should be in the squad (although I do enjoy taunting some friends who support Spurs that he shouldn’t) but there is more of a question mark as to where he should play. While the former Leicester man has certainly calmed down his form since his injury, but he is a special talent. I don’t think that Maddison should start as the competition in his position is very high. As someone who can come off the bench and impact games, he is a great option.

15 - Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United: One of the breakout stars of the season, Mainoo has slotted into the United team and at 19 is one of the best in Ten Hag’s side. The United midfielder keeps hold of the ball excellently, and so he can control the game with ease. Every tournament there is one or two players who break into their team, could it be Mainoo this time round?

16 - Phil Foden, Manchester City: Magic Philip Foden has come into his own this season, 24 goals and 14 assists in all competitions are world-class levels, and is definatley feels like the creative duties in the middle of the park has been handed onto him from De Bruyne. In an ideal world Foden would stay in midfield, but if needed he can play on the right or the left.

17 - Ross Barkley, Luton Town: Many had forgotten the name Ross Barkley when he signed for Luton on a free transfer. However, the former Chelsea man has proved the doubters wrong, with 5 goals and 6 assists in the league this season. He can play in both the defensive and offensive parts of the midfield as well as providing crucial experience in quite a young England squad.

18 - Cole Palmer, Chelsea: Cole Palmer has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season. ‘Cold’ Palmer has been a revelation, carrying Chelsea throughout the season. Interestingly, without Palmer’s 31 League goal contributions Chelsea would be in a relegation fight at the moment. The only problem with Palmer is where he plays. Luckily, the former Man City prodigy can play as an attacking midfielder, a right and left winger giving Southgate plenty of options in attack.

19 - Conor Gallagher, Chelsea: Generally it has been a poor season for the Blues. There hasn’t been a lot to cheer about this season, apart from Palmer. Another shining light for them has been Gallagher. The Chelsea skipper has been solid in midfield this season, providing some calm in a chaotic Chelsea midfield.

20 - Marcus Rashford, Manchester United: Rashford has certainly had a difficult time this season. Coming off a world-class 2022/23, the expectations were high for United’s main man, but he has been far off it this term. Having only managed 8 goals and 5 assists this season, Rashford is far from his best but he has been very consistent throughout his England carrer, he was even our top scorer at the Qatar World Cup. This is the main reason I have selected him, however I think that others should start over him.

21 - Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: Saka is one of England’s finest young players. The Arsenal winger has made the right wing position his own in recent years, with 11 goals in 32 caps for England. He is part of the group of players that is a non-negotiable in this squad, however now he has real competition down the right hand side with Cole Palmer, can he keep his spot going into the tournament in Germany?

22 - Anthony Gordon, Newcastle United: Gordon has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season, with 11 goals and 10 assists from the left hand side this season. The is a very effective player for Howe’s side, using his pace and explosivity to exploit defenders. Having got his first cap for England recently, Gordon show certainly be in the squad and he should arguably be starting at the Euros.

23 - Jarred Bowen, West Ham United: Bowen has had a terrific season. The former Hull man has had his best goal scoring season to date, coming off a tough 22/23. Bowen’s best position is on the right, but he can do a job upfront. His England record is by no means impressive, but as a swiss army knife in attack Bowen does the

24 - Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa: Many would expect that Cole Palmer or Erling Haaland would have the most goal contributions in the Premier League this season, but it is former Exeter City striker Ollie Watkins. I was 10 in 2017 when Ollie Watkins was playing for the Grecians so I can’t remember him much with us, but this season he has been exceptional for Aston Villa. He has struggled to get into the England team regularly with the brilliance of Harry Kane in his way, but once the Bayern man begins to fade away, Watkins will be waiting.

25 - Harry Kane (Captain), Bayern Munich: It was difficult to exclude Exeter City’s Sonny Cox from this squad, but if I didn’t include the England skipper I might as well shut down the blog now (don’t worry Sonny, your time will come!). Kane is our best finisher, as shown by his staggering 44 goals in 44 games, as well as his 12 assists. He has been Gareth Southgate’s man ever since he took the reins as England's boss and it would seem silly to let him go now.

26 - Dominic Solanke: It was a close call between Bournemouth’s star man and Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Many would pick the Brentford man over the Chelsea reject, but Toney is still coming back from a long spell away from the game, whereas Solanke has had a terrific campaign on the South Coast. 21 goals in 40 games at the time of writing is a very impressive record, and as a third-choice striker behind Kane and Watkins is a great option.

Spread of clubs:

Arsenal x3

Manchester City x3

Manchester United x3

Liverpool x2

Luton Town x2

Newcastle United x2

Everton x2

Chelsea x2

Rangers

Tottenham Hotspur

Real Madrid

Aston Villa

Bayern Munich

AFC Bournemouth

West Ham United