Grealish gone; Maguire missing: England’s Euro 2024 squad in detail

As the 2024 Euros get underway, the England national team and its manager Gareth Southgate find themselves under the spotlight. With a mix of expectation and pressure, let us explore the strengths (and weaknesses) in the squad of 26 which will hopefully return from Germany this summer with its second major trophy since 1966.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

As per tournament rules Gareth Southgate has chosen three goalkeepers, with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford heading up the trio. Pickford has had a respectable season for Everton this year, starting all of their league games, leading a defence that achieved 13 clean sheets, and averaging 1.18 goals conceded per league game. The 30-year-old, currently with 61 caps for the Three Lions, appears the most logical option for starting number one. Pickford is supported between the sticks by Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale, whose league appearances this season plummeted to six – dramatically down from 37 in the 22/23 season. Crystal Palace keeper Dean Henderson has also been called up.

Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

One of the key notable missing figures from the squad is Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, whose role in United’s irregular defensive lineups this season has seen him offering some form and consistency. Instead, Southgate has opted for call-ups for Palace’s Marc Guéhi, and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, who have between them 12 caps for England. However, their league form, with both playing key roles in their respective team’s seasons, do make them appear good defensive options for Southgate to call upon. For many the omission of AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori appears to be a poor choice from the manager. Tomori’s progressive defensive play, 35% clean sheet rate in Serie A, and four goals, made a strong case for his inclusion.

Southgate has given the green light to Joe Gomez, Lewis Dunk and most importantly, Manchester City’s John Stones. Stones is, for many, England’s most capable defender, frequently showcasing both his defensive and offensive prowess and offering Gareth Southgate continuity in the backline. However, with Maguire’s omission, questions are arising over who can partner Stones in a defensive line.

In the full-back positions, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, and Luke Shaw have received the call-up, but with Shaw’s injury at present there are still questions over whether he will be a guaranteed starter at left-back. Shaw has been crucial for England, offering a left-footed option on the flank, with his ability to cross the ball into to players like Harry Kane particularly valuable. Without him, a right-footer will be forced to start on the left-hand side which, as seen in England’s loss to Iceland a few days ago, does not offer the same attacking potency.

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Midfield is where we seen the most change this time around, with stalwart Jordan Henderson not even being included in the long list of players. In his place Southgate has offered chances to Palace’s Adam Wharton and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo. Both Wharton and Mainoo offer different things for England compared to Henderson. Mainoo’s ability to hold the ball and turn saw him make 24 starts in Manchester United’s midfield this season. Meanwhile, following his move from Blackburn Rovers, Wharton ended his debut season with Palace with 16 league appearances for the club and several impressive performances under new progressive coach Oliver Glasner.

They are accompanied by seasoned players Declan Rice and Conor Gallagher, both of whom offer the defensive skill and attacking acumen to overload opponents this summer in Germany. Finally, Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander Arnold is entering his fourth international tournament for England, transitioning from a full-back role to a midfield option; he’s a key passer in the squad, offering short and long-range options.

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Southgate’s approach is symbolised by the flexibility it provides for his players, with many players ostensibly deemed attackers (such as Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham) all being able to drop into a more conservative midfield structure if needed. The wonder boy Jude Bellingham appears England’s most crucial asset. He currently plays as a ten under Southgate, but has at times played in positions further forward for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, feeding the ball to Vinícius Jr and Rodrygo, and arriving late in the box to crash the defence. Southgate has recently come out claiming he isn’t putting “everything” on the 20-year-old. Nonetheless, he is without doubt England’s best player on current form when it comes to progression of the ball and versatility.

Southgate has also called up Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, with both of these players expected to prove crucial in any run to the final. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka appears to be the most likely to start on the right, but with so much competition there is a possibility Southgate seeks to start some players out of position – just to start more of these key players. Southgate has also given call-ups to Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and the well-rounded Jarrod Bowen, who has proved crucial to West Ham’s performances in the league this season. Captain Harry Kane is expected to lead the line, joined in the squad by Villa’s Ollie Watkins, whose 19 goals in 37 league games has earned him a place along with Brentford’s Ivan Toney. One player missing out altogether is Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, whose equal return of 19 goals in 38 makes him similarly one of the most in-form strikers this year. In addition to Solanke’s omission, is Jack Grealish’s cutting out from the squad last week. Grealish, whilst underperforming this season for Manchester City, does always offer something different as an attacking option. We should hope therefore that the likes of Gordon and Eze will get minutes, instead of seeing Southgate totally rely on a set-in-stone frontline.

Can England go all the way?

Grappling with the expectation of going deep into the tournament, Southgate does face three key questions relating to his squad. Firstly, who partners Stones in defence? Secondly, who partners Rice in midfield? Finally, who will flank Harry Kane? Southgate must provide answers to these questions which work – and work well – to ensure England have a summer to remember. With his position in doubt, and for his own reputation, competing in the tournament’s business end is essential.