- Experienced internationals overlooked
- Faith shown in exciting youngsters
- Three Lions open trophy bid on June 16
WHAT HAPPENED?
Gareth Southgate has named a 33-man party that will be narrowed down to 26 closer to the tournament. All final selections have to be locked in by June 7. The Three Lions have friendly dates against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iceland to take in before then.
ENGLAND SQUAD IN FULL
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
WHO HAS BEEN INCLUDED?
Uncapped midfielders Curtis Jones and Adam Wharton of Liverpool and Crystal Palace respectively are being given an opportunity to shine. Jarell Quansah is another rookie in the ranks from Anfield, while Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is still looking for a first cap.
Harry Maguire’s lack of football at Manchester United of late does not work against him, while prolific Bayern Munich striker – and Three Lions captain – Harry Kane unsurprisingly gets the nod despite nursing a back injury at present.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool’s go-to right-back – is called upon as a midfielder, alongside Real Madrid superstar and potential 2024 Ballon d’Or contender Jude Bellingham. Up front, Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Aston Villa frontman Ollie Watkins are both given a chance to impress in training.
WHO HAS BEEN LEFT OUT?
Chelsea forward Sterling misses a major international tournament for the first time since 2012, while ex-Liverpool captain Henderson – who is now on the books of Eredivisie giants Ajax – sits out his first event since the 2010 World Cup.
Manchester United forward Rashford pays the price for his inconsistent form at club level, with just eight goals recorded this season. Kalvin Phillips, who failed to rekindle a lost spark during a loan spell at West Ham from Manchester City, is snubbed due to injury and a lack of form.
There is no place in the squad for Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, or his Stamford Bridge team-mate Levi Colwill. Versatile Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis will get the chance to add to his solitary senior cap at some stage in the future, while AC Milan centre-half Fikayo Tomori must keep believing that his time will come.
WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
England will open their quest for European Championship glory against Serbia on June 16. From there, they will go on to face Denmark and Slovenia in Group C. Southgate is hoping to see his side go one better than the runners-up finish they managed at Euro 2020 – when they lost to Italy in a penalty shootout at Wembley.
