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Southgate has selection headache for 26-man Euros squad.. which 7 will get cut?

21 May 2024 , 14:50
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The highest-scoring Englishman in the Premier League may not make the squad
The highest-scoring Englishman in the Premier League may not make the squad

GARETH SOUTHGATE has left himself with a selection headache ahead of the Euros.

The England boss has announced one of his most surprising and exciting provisional squads since taking the job back in 2016.

Gareth Southgate is set for a selection headache tdiqridqkitxprw
Gareth Southgate is set for a selection headacheCredit: Getty
James Trafford could be one player cut from the squad
James Trafford could be one player cut from the squadCredit: PA
Lewis Dunk faces tough competition to make it to Germany
Lewis Dunk faces tough competition to make it to GermanyCredit: PA

While 33 players have been selected, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell have all been omitted.

However, after friendlies against Bosnia and Iceland, Southgate needs to cut a further seven players to make the 26-man cut for the Euros by June 7 – so who is likely to get the chop?

SunSport’s Jordan Davies selects his unlucky men to miss out:

World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future growWorld Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow

JAMES TRAFFORD

  • GOALKEEPER
  • BURNLEY
  • AGE: 21
  • CAPS: 0

A mixed season at Burnley under Vincent Kompany, playing a bold and expansive style of play that was ultimately found out in the Premier League and saw them relegated.

Has a bright future ahead of him, but even he would admit that this tournament has come too soon.

LEWIS DUNK

  • CENTRAL DEFENDER
  • BRIGHTON
  • AGE: 32
  • CAPS: 5

Despite England’s issues in the centre of defence, Dunk is likely to miss the cut, especially after his calamitous outing against Belgium and Romelu Lukaku back in March.

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Perhaps harsh on the Seagulls stalwart, in what is his last chance to make a major tournament with England, but Southgate cannot afford to have any passengers.

JARELL QUANSAH

  • CENTRAL DEFENDER
  • LIVERPOOL
  • AGE: 21
  • CAPS: 0

A real statement of how much progress the Reds youngster has made that he has even been considered for the Euros.

Southgate will use this time to take a good look at him ahead of future squad announcements. It would be a huge shock if he was to get on the plane to Germany.

CURTIS JONES

Curtis Jones is yet to be capped by England
Curtis Jones is yet to be capped by EnglandCredit: PA
  • CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
  • LIVERPOOL
  • AGE: 23
  • CAPS: 0

Jones will be excited at the potential of winning his first senior cap for his country in the upcoming friendlies having starred for England’s U21s in recent years.

Anything more than that will be a real bonus for Jones, who is up against the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to win a starting spot…

Marcus Rashford makes tongue-in-cheek joke after being dropped by Erik ten HagMarcus Rashford makes tongue-in-cheek joke after being dropped by Erik ten Hag

JARROD BOWEN

Jarrod Bowen scored 16 Premier League goals this season
Jarrod Bowen scored 16 Premier League goals this seasonCredit: PA
  • WINGER
  • WEST HAM
  • AGE: 27
  • CAPS: 7

He started the season on fire with 11 Prem goals between August and January, but his form since then has come at the exact wrong time, ending with 16 Prem goals this term.

A decent tally, but those sorts of numbers are just not enough to break into one of the most exciting attacking groups England have ever had.

JAMES MADDISON

James Maddison struggled to keep his form up all season
James Maddison struggled to keep his form up all seasonCredit: PA
  • ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
  • TOTTENHAM
  • AGE: 27
  • CAPS: 6

Injury halted his impressive start for Spurs this campaign, as well as his form. The assists dried up as the North Londoners blew a Prem top-four spot.

Having failed to make an appearance from the bench at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Maddison finds himself in a dangerous position of missing out on the Euros altogether.

OLLIE WATKINS

Ollie Watkins may be edged out of the squad
Ollie Watkins may be edged out of the squadCredit: PA
  • STRIKER
  • ASTON VILLA
  • AGE: 28
  • CAPS: 11

Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney? That is the burning question Southgate will need to answer, and it may well come down to who can perform better in a shoot-out.

Watkins has had a stunning season with 27 goals in all competitions, but Toney is the best penalty-taker in the world – can you really afford to leave that at home?

Jordan Davies

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