With the 2024 UEFA European Championship edging closer, a number of English players will be hoping for a surprise inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s squad.
The final months of the Premier League season will provide Three Lions hopefuls a perfect opportunity to stake their claim to be on the plane.
Only 23 players will be jetting off to Germany in the summer so places are extremely limited. With that in mind, who could Southgate realistically include?
Kobbie Mainoo England Call-Up
Much has been made of Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo. The 18-year-old has been one of the Red Devils best players in recent weeks.
Mainoo scored the winner at Wolves in February and also netted in the FA Cup against Newport County. The likes of Ian Wright and Gary Lineker have insisted Mainoo receives his first England call-up ahead of March’s friendlies.
Mainoo is primarily a central midfielder but is more than capable of playing in either a defensive or attacking role. His versatility could prove very useful to Gareth Southgate.
Anthony Gordon Euros
Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season. Gordon hasn’t represented the senior England side yet but it’s surely just a matter of time before he does.
Only Alexander Isak has scored more goals for the Magpies in 2023/24. Gordon also has seven assists in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side.
Last summer, Gordon won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Player of the Tournament. The left-winger is a genuine wildcard for the Euros this year.
Cole Palmer England Squad
After swapping Manchester City for Chelsea in 2023, Cole Palmer has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge. The attacking midfielder looks destined for the very top.
Palmer already has two senior England caps to his name which will certainly give him an advantage. He played a total of 35 minutes against North Macedonia and Malta in November.
Based on form, Palmer has to be in the England squad. If he impresses in the upcoming friendlies, Gareth Southgate has a hard decision to make.
Dominic Solanke England
Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke is a viable option to play as a back-up to captain Harry Kane in Germany this summer.
Solanke has one England cap to his name. He played 15 minutes in a goalless draw against Brazil in 2017 whilst a Liverpool player.
2023/24 has proven to be the best season of Solanke’s career to date. Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are perhaps ahead of him in the pecking order. However, his blistering form will be hard for Gareth Southgate to ignore.
Ross Barkley England Career
Ross Barkley hasn’t played international football since 2019 but his form for Luton this season has seen him come back into contention.
Barkley’s England career saw him earn 33 caps with his last coming against Bulgaria in a Euro 2020 qualifier. Gareth Southgate knows all about his qualities and attributes.
It’s a huge long-shot to include Barkely but it definitely isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. A strong end to the season for the Hatters will increase his chances.
Contenders For England’s Euro 2024 Squad
There are plenty of other contenders who all have a chance with being named in England’s Euro 2024 squad. Whether it be in goal, defence, midfield or attack, Gareth Southgate has plenty of thinking to do.
There are players included here who have established themselves for the Three Lions but their seat on the plane is up for debate.
With that said, some on the list are yet to represent England at senior level. All of the latest Power Ranking odds can be found here to make the final 23-man squad.
Here’s a look at the other realistic hopefuls who could potentially be packing their bags for the 2024 UEFA European Championship:
- Raheem Sterling
- Morgan Gibbs-White
- Rico Lewis
- Eddie Nketiah
- James Trafford
- Harrison Reed
- James Ward-Prowse
- Harvey Barnes
- James Garner
- Ezri Konsa
- Callum Wilson
- James Maddison
- Ivan Toney
- Ben White
- Jarrad Branthwaite
- Eberechi Eze
- Jadon Sancho
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Mason Mount
- Tammy Abraham
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