Watkins, Toney, Mainoo, Grealish… which England stars make the cut and who doesn’t in our expert’s 23-man Euros squad?
THEY say the England manager role is the impossible job.
That seems accurate when you consider the difficulty of whittling down the Euros squad to just 23 players.
It is the first time in three major tournaments that Gareth Southgate has not had 26 to play with.
That was after allowances were made for Covid at Euro 2020 and the mid-season nature of the World Cup in Qatar two years later.
Tricky calls will have to be made on the likes of Ollie Watkins, Kobbie Mainoo, Ezri Konsa, Jack Grealish and more.
Injuries are already wreaking havoc with Southgate’s selections – and no doubt more will flare up before the squad is picked on May 21.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay steps into the Three Lions boss’ shoes to pick his 23.
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope
JORDAN PICKFORD is the undisputed No1 and despite having a mistake in him – as proven for Belgium’s opener on Tuesday night – the Everton stopper will start every game in Germany.
Then it is just a matter of picking his back-ups who are unlikely to play anyway.
I would argue Aaron Ramsdale is a better keeper than Pickford but it is hard to make a case for him to start when he is warming the bench at Arsenal.
In lieu of other options though, I would still take him. Cruelly, Crystal Palace stopper Sam Johnstone has been ruled out for the tournament after elbow surgery.
If Nick Pope can prove his fitness between now and the end of the season at Newcastle, he would be my third choice.
Jack Butland is having a good season north of the border at Rangers but I would favour keepers playing in the Premier League as it is a higher standard.
I watched James Trafford perform miracles as England won the Under-21 Euros in Georgia last summer but his form this year at Burnley has been less convincing.
FULL-BACKS
Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw
WE have a crisis at left-back with Luke Shaw a huge injury doubt and no one really pushing their case behind the Manchester United man.
Ben Chilwell struggled against Brazil and was marginally better against Belgium.
The Chelsea man should be picked if Shaw does not make it.
But it sums up how worrying the situation is that I would still go for Shaw even if he only makes the last few games of the season for United.
Kieran Trippier’s versatility offers some comfort and he is likely to be the man starting at left-back against Serbia on June 16.
The Newcastle man, 33, offers cover for Kyle Walker at right-back too.
Trent Alexander-Arnold must go – what a creative option to have if you are chasing a game – but his most likely route to a starting spot is probably in midfield.
CENTRE-BACKS
Harry Maguire, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Joe Gomez
BARRING injury, Harry Maguire and John Stones start this summer for Southgate, no question.
And given the lack of other options – plus Maguire’s renaissance at Old Trafford this season – fewer people would argue with that than they would have done six months ago.
Lewis Dunk unfortunately looks to have played himself out of the squad with his poor displays in the last week.
Joe Gomez’s versatility, being able to play centre-back, right-back, left-back and in midfield, on the back of an excellent season at Liverpool warrants his inclusion.
Jarrad Branthwaite is exciting but after getting no game-time at all this international break, his chances look over.
Then it is a toss-up between Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi.
Konsa performed well on his first start against Belgium and has had a great season at Aston Villa.
Southgate sees Guehi has his first reserve so will likely pick him provided he is well recovered from the knee problem currently sidelining him.
But given the question marks over other injuries, Konsa’s form and fitness gives him the nod.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison
KOBBIE MAINOO was the revelation of this international break after a fearless first start against Belgium.
He not only played his way into the squad with his display, but perhaps even into the team.
In contrast, Conor Gallagher’s underwhelming performance against Brazil may well have cost him.
The Chelsea man was OK but given the numbers are so tight for this squad, I feel 18-year-old Mainoo takes his place.
Jordan Henderson has had a hell of a 12 months but his experience, leadership and organisational skills will see him included.
James Maddison’s clever pass for Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp strike underlined why he should go too – he has the ability to win tight games off the bench against any opposition.
WINGERS
Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer
BUKAYO SAKA obviously starts wide right and Phil Foden needs to be in the team, perhaps in that central role that saw him flourish in the second half against Belgium.
After that, it is wide open.
Marcus Rashford surprisingly did not start either friendly this week but his performances for England have generally been good, irrespective of his Manchester United form.
He can also play through the middle and offers something different with his running in behind.
After that, Anthony Gordon’s work-rate, directness and confidence have done enough to win me over. You can play him on either side too.
Jarrod Bowen was very good against Belgium so it is painful to leave him out, but I just think Cole Palmer is a better technical player.
If England are 1-0 down with ten minutes to go, I would back the Chelsea man over Bowen to make an impact.
Jack Grealish has it all to do after an injury-hit season and right now he is not making it.
STRIKERS
Harry Kane, Ivan Toney
IVAN TONEY did enough against Brazil to edge out Ollie Watkins in the battle to be Harry Kane’s back-up.
The Brentford striker just looks a better fit for Southgate’s style and was far more involved than Watkins was against Brazil.
Toney’s ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play is closer to Kane’s style – plus he proved his penalty prowess.
The question after that is do you take Watkins as well – but with only 23, he does not make the cut.