England manager Gareth Southgate has decided to name a provisional thirty-three-man squad ahead of the final squad announcement for the Euros next week. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the news.
England’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2020:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City, Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Brighton).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (West Ham), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
The provisional squad announcement was leaked to the media last night, but the press release did provide some key surprises.
Squad Omissions
The omissions from the extended squad were noteworthy. Eric Dier paid the price for a mixed season with Spurs, his absence is still a shock given his contributions for the national team in recent years. His versatility in defense and midfield overlooked.
Nick Pope’s injury at the end of the season paved the way for Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale to come into the extended squad party. They battle for the third keeper berth.
Danny Ings and Patrick Bamford were the key omissions from the England attacking options announced today. Ings when fully fit was a threat. Bamford had his best season and scored regularly with Leeds United.
Goalkeeping concerns?
The goalkeeper area could be a source of concern for England. Pickford and Henderson have shown vulnerabilities for club and country this season.
England will require a keeper who has complete command of his area, but I don’t see that with any of these keepers selected. Pope if fit would be my number one keeper.
Shot stopping is strong but the ability to take crosses is an issue here also with these selections. It may come back to haunt England yet.
Defense selections hinge on Maguire
The defensive players are all quality. TAA comes in after an upsurge in form with Liverpool in recent months. His distribution is immense and I would be surprised if he is omitted now.
The big question is how fit is Harry Maguire? Maguire travelled with Manchester United for the Europa League final, but where is Maguire in fitness for the Euros?
Does Southgate bring him knowing that he is not going to be fully fit hoping that the player returns to the full fitness before the group games conclude. It is intriguingly poised.
Risk vs. reward selection here. I suspect that Maguire will go. Walker could slot into the central defensive position if required.
Godfrey is a surprise inclusion. Solid season with Everton but faded at the end of the season. He is versatile and can fill full back and central defensive roles. If there is a dark horse to emerge, Ben White could be that player.
He can play central defense and midfield for club and if Jordan Henderson cannot prove his fitness, White comes into the equation.
The midfield headline is the return of Jesse Lingard to the national squad. His run of form on loan with West Ham United hugely impressive and Southgate has included me on the back of that.
This unit is stacked with talent. Bellingham is an absolute star in the making in a young midfield selection. Philips on standby also if Henderson fails to recover.
James Maddison misses out. A player who has shown high level of performance with club and impressed with county this term.
However, I cannot but think that the breach in club protocol a couple of weeks back for Leicester City may have swayed Southgate away from the player.
Forward selection headache
The forward options are intriguing. Calvert-Lewin and Kane are the two number nines in this squad. They are locks to make it into the squad.
Watkins and Saka have work to do to make an impression in this squad. Mason Greenwood gets a callup too, an excellent performance in a Europa League final could swing Southgate to bring him.
The final squad to be announced next week but ultimately players should know where they stand by the weekend or Monday. Interesting subplots next week then as there is bound to be one or two inclusions that will provoke debate.
Hawkeye Sidekick England Squad (Predicted)
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City, Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Brighton).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool – if fit), Jesse Lingard (West Ham), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham)
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Man City)