England Euro 2024 Squad Odds: Why Wharton, Mainoo & more should make cut
Gareth Southgate announced a 33-man squad for England’s upcoming friendlies in June ahead of Euro 2024 getting underway.
The Three Lions will play out friendlies versus Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3 and Iceland on June 7 before Southgate has to trim his squad down to 26 players ahead of their first Euro 2024 game against Serbia on June 16.
The friendly meetings should give Southgate a good chance to make an informed decision over which seven players will have to be cut.
England Euro 2024 Provisional 33-man Squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), 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), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
England Euro 2024 Squad: Who Are The Outsiders?
We have taken a look at some of the fringe players named in the current England squad to asses why they should be on the plane to Germany.
Ezri Konsa
England have limited options at full-back this summer due to injuries to both Ben Chiwell and Reece James. At present, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw are the Three Lions’ only natural full-backs named as defenders despite the large squad.
As a result, it is expected Southgate will call on someone like Konsa to fill in at right-back should Walker suffer an injury or be suspended. The Aston Villa man is a natural centre-back but made 23 appearances for the Midlands outfit on the right of a back-four this past season. While he would not provide the attacking threat of someone like Walker or Trippier (who is expected to be used on the left if Shaw is not fit) Konsa would provide some defensive security in big games against tougher opposition.
James Maddison
For whatever reason, Gareth Southgate does not seem to be a big fan of James Maddison. The midfielder has made just six England appearances since his debut in 2019 and is yet to complete 90 minutes for the Three Lions.
However, Maddison offers a creative outlet that very few others can provide for his country. The 27-year-old chipped in with four goals and nine assists in 28 Premier League games for Tottenham in 2023/24, all while operating in a no.10 role. In turn, Southgate could call upon Maddison when struggling to break down sides who are sitting deep. He is also an excellent set-piece taker, something England lack without James Ward-Prowse in the team.
Adam Wharton
One of England’s biggest concerns heading into Euro 2024 is a lack of defensive midfield options. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are both world-class talents but have shown for their clubs they are much more effective when allowed to push further up the pitch.
Rice has primarily been used as a sitting midfield for England but the inclusion of someone like Adam Wharton in the squad could give the Arsenal man more freedom further up the pitch. Wharton is only 20 years of age but after joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn in January, he has slotted seamlessly into the Eagles’ midfield and was crucial to their impressive seven-game unbeaten run at the end of the campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo
Like Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo could offer England some much-needed help at the heart of their midfield. Despite only being 19 years of age, he has nailed down a starting berth at Manchester United, for whom it can be argued he has been their most consistent midfielder across 2023/24.
Mainoo only made his senior England debut in March, but he has shown in games against the likes of Liverpool this term that he can handle big occasions well.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite enjoyed a prolific club season with Everton, helping the Toffees keep the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table.
The 21-year-old is also a left-footed centre-back and given Southgate’s only other option for that role currently is Harry Maguire, selecting Branthwaite would be a smart choice.
James Trafford
James Trafford did not have the best 2023/24 with Burnley, keeping just two clean sheets for the now-relegated outfit in 28 league games. However, the 21-year-old is excellent with the ball at his feet and accustomed to playing out from the back. This is something Southgate values in his keepers and is likely why Nick Pope is not in the squad.
Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah is another emerging centre-back Southgate should be looking at to replace an aging, out-of-form Harry Maguire.
The 21-year-old has become a first-team regular for Liverpool, making 33 appearances for the Reds’ senior side in 2023/24 and forming an excellent partnership with Virgil van Dijk. He is yet to make his debut for England, but he was thrown in at the deep end for his club and handled that pressure well.
Today’s Football Tips
International football does not get back underway until next month. But there is one Ligue 1 clash taking place today, as Rodez face off with Paris FC.
Paris FC travel away from home to take on Rodez on Tuesday evening, and we’ve got it covered with our bet builder of the day article, while for those of you looking to place an acca, we have our acca of the day lined up and ready to go.
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