England's captain serves as the cornerstone
Euro 2024 in Germany is fast approaching and England will play Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia in Group C when the tournament kicks off on June 14, 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s side comfortably topped their qualifying group and will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
The attention turns to who will be in the 23-man squad.
Friendlies against Brazil and Belgium will give players the chance to impress the manager.
But fierce competition means form in the Premier League and around Europe will be crucial in the coming months.
The final squad will see some of Southgate’s trusted players as well as some new faces.
We look at who is guaranteed to be in the squad, who is in contention and an outside possibility.
Certain
Harry Kane
England’s captain serves as the cornerstone of the team’s performance, showcasing not only exceptional leadership qualities but also consistently contributing with his goal-scoring prowess.
Harry Kane has hit the ground running at Bayern Munich, with 27 league goals in 24 appearances.
Gareth Southgate will be banking on Kane’s fitness and sharpness when Euro 2024 arrives, hoping that the player remains in optimal condition to lead England’s charge.
Jude Bellingham
The 20-year-old has quickly risen to becoming one of England’s essential players.
He is consistently producing outstanding performances both for his country and his club, Real Madrid, racking up goals and assists after driving runs from midfield.
Southgate likes Bellingham to play just behind Kane.
This could be the start of an effective partnership between England’s current captain and his likely successor.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice’s £100 million transfer to Arsenal was talked about but he has made an outstanding start to life at his new club.
Arsenal is currently in the race for the Premier League and in addition to controlling the midfield, Rice is scoring goals and providing assists.
Rice’s importance at the international level has grown immeasurably over the past few years to the point where he is crucial to how England plays.
John Stones
Over the years, John Stones has been a stalwart for Gareth Southgate, integral to deep runs at the 2018 World Cup and the last Euros.
The lack of centre-back alternatives only strengthens his position in the squad.
Stones has struggled for fitness at times this season but if he’s available at the Euros, he will play.
Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker will be one of the first names in the squad when Euro 2024 arrives.
Experience, recovery pace and an ability to play on the right of a back three all make the Manchester City defender an essential part of Southgate’s plans.
Since Southgate took charge of the national team in 2016, Walker has won 61 caps.
Only Harry Kane and Harry Maguire have won more under Southgate.
Jordan Pickford
The Everton goalkeeper has been England’s first-choice for many years.
His position looks safe, especially because his closest challenger, Aaron Ramsdale, has been usurped by David Raya at Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is a trusted member of the national team and is quickly becoming one of the side’s senior players.
At 22, he already has 32 caps, scoring 11 times.
His versatility down both the left and right wing, and his ability to play as an attacking wing-back if needed, is handy for a manager who likes to chop and change systems.
Not only does Saka look certain to be in the squad but he looks likely to start every match.
Phil Foden
Foden is having his best season yet in a Manchester City shirt.
He will be 24 when the Euros come around and is becoming increasingly essential to Pep Guardiola’s City team, as well as England.
His close control is unique in the national squad and Southgate’s only issue is where to fit Foden’s attacking talents into a team containing Bellingham, Saka and more.
Harry Maguire
For many years, Harry Maguire has been one of Southgate’s most trusted players.
He was given another vote of confidence with a start against Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying.
A lack of playing time for his club had brought scepticism from fans and the media about his role this summer, but Maguire returned to Manchester United’s starting 11 and enjoyed some good performances before suffering an injury.
Kieran Trippier
One of Southgate’s favourites, Trippier is an almost-certainty to be part of the England squad.
His experience, ability to play right-back and left-back, and his set-piece delivery will be essential.
Trippier’s form for Newcastle this season has not been to his typical high standards. But he is certain to be in the squad for the tournament.
Likely
Jack Grealish
The Manchester City winger took time earning Southgate’s approval but, at 28 and with a treble on his CV, is now a regular squad member.
The key question is whether the manager sees him as an important part of the first XI or a game-changing finisher off the bench.
A lack of recent game time for City will also be a concern for the England manager.
Ollie Watkins
Watkins is in pole position to play the role of Kane’s deputy at the Euros.
He is having a fantastic season so far with Aston Villa, with 16 goals and 10 assists.
His Premier League goal involvements make Watkins increasingly difficult to ignore.
Marcus Rashford
The Manchester United forward is the third-highest goalscorer of the Southgate era, with 16, behind only Kane and Raheem Sterling.
His pace and direct runs towards goal from the left wing complement Kane’s preference to drop deep and link play, and he can also be a striker option should it be needed.
However, his poor club form has raised questions.
Given that Rashford has been part of the national team for several years, it still seems likely that he will go to Euro 2024.
James Maddison
The midfielder struggled with an injury at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which prevented him from making an appearance.
But his form for Tottenham has demanded a place in recent squads and Maddison is poised to travel as deputy to Bellingham in the No 10 role.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is fast becoming a talisman on the pitch for Mauricio Pochettino’s struggling Chelsea.
Palmer’s touch, creativity and eye for goal have all been on display this season and he is giving Southgate a difficult decision to make.
He has two caps and will surely get more chances to impress in March’s friendlies.
On form alone, he has to be on the plane, but Southgate prefers to lean on long-trusted players.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has previously struggled to get games for England at right-back but a switch into midfield has seen him more involved.
The Liverpool player is creative and offers both an attacking threat and set-piece delivery, so he may see time on the pitch for Southgate as a potential game-changer.
Ben Chilwell
The Chelsea left-back didn’t play a single minute at the last Euros and watched on as Shaw (and occasionally Trippier) filled that spot.
He has been sidelined with a hamstring injury this season but is back now.
A fit and firing Chilwell is likely to be at Euro 2024.
Aaron Ramsdale
The goalkeeper is losing his battle for a starting place at Arsenal with David Raya.
But even if he only plays a backup role for Mikel Arteta, he is likely to go to the Euros as Pickford’s deputy.
Maybe
Luke Shaw
When fit, Shaw is the preferred left-back in this England team, bringing an attacking threat on the overlap as well as long-standing relationships with both Maguire and Rashford at Manchester United.
But he has spent most of this season out with a leg injury and his latest hamstring strain is set to keep him out until May.
With Chilwell as an excellent alternative, and Trippier as a viable deputy, Shaw may struggle to regain his Euros place, even if he recovers in time.
Anthony Gordon
The Newcastle winger is enjoying a fine season at St James’ Park and his 11-goal involvements in the Premier League makes a compelling case.
He has yet to play for his country at senior level and will hope for a chance in March’s two friendly games.
Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher has been bright and energetic in his England matches and is valued by Southgate.
But other central midfielders are well-established internationals who will be tricky to usurp.
Regular starts for Chelsea this season are certainly pushing his case in a position where England have depth.
Dominic Solanke
The Bournemouth striker is having the best season of his career, scoring 14 Premier League goals.
The 26-year-old has matured into a sharp No 9 and he is in contention for Euro 2024.
However, Kane and Watkins are the front-runners for what will probably be only two out-and-out striker berths in the final squad.
Nevertheless, Solanke remains a possibility for Euro 2024.
Outside Chance
Kobbie Mainoo
In an inconsistent Manchester United side, Kobbie Mainoo has been one of the few bright sparks, despite being just 18.
He has two international options to choose from, and England could be keen to rush him into the senior team to prevent him from deciding to represent Ghana instead.
Mainoo has had an impressive breakthrough year at Manchester United after graduating from the academy and has played for England’s youth teams in the past.
Should his form this season continue he could be difficult to leave out.
The current football season has seen some frontrunners for the England squad.
While some are tournament regulars, others are newer to Gareth Southgate’s squad and with 23 places up for grabs, competition is rife.
But whoever is picked, the biggest question remains – can England go one step further and win the trophy?
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