I spoke a lot on England’s 2018 World Cup squad, only for them to surprise me and get to the Semi-Finals before falling to Croatia. This time around for the delayed Euro 2020, there is again a lot to undress as Gareth Southgate picked his final squad for the tournament. It was announced last month that due to the effects of Covid that managers were allowed to pick 26-man squads instead of the usual 23 that they are allocated. Spain’s Luis Enrique however picked a 24-man squad immediately for Spain, this included not taking Sergio Ramos who was in a race against time fitness-wise despite having two openings available. But Southgate decided to pick a 33-man provisional squad last week ahead of this weeks’ 26-man announcement. Does Southgate even know his best XI? Does he know his best formation? Let us go through things from the top concerning the squad.
Provisional Squad
Considering it was not expected that a provisional squad would be named as extra spots had been given for the final squad, there were still some men who were unlucky not to be included. In central defence Brighton’s Ben White was called up ahead of his teammate Lewis Dunk. Southgate said that White being younger aided his inclusion over Dunk, and also spoke of White’s versatility helping as he has played in midfield too. Fikayo Tomori spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at AC Milan from Chelsea and has done well, but was overlooked. Tomori is good on the ball which is something Southgate wants from his centre backs, as he prefers England to play it out from the back. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has stood out more than his teammate Tyrone Mings, but was not able to make it in. Konsa finished joint-3rd in the league in blocks with 1.3 per game.
Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka does not even get a look-in with any squad named by Gareth Southgate, despite being dubbed as the ‘best one-on-one defender in Europe’ by the likes of Rio Ferdinand. Leeds’ Luke Ayling only topped Wan-Bissaka’s 88 tackles made when it comes to defenders in the Premier League. One can only think that Wan-Bissaka’s forward play leaves a bit to be desired considering he used to be a winger, and this is why he is frequently disregarded. England is heavily stacked at right full back however so it is easier to see why to be fair compared to other positions.
In midfield, James Maddison was eased into the season after having a hip operation but once he got going he had some great performances. Maddison delivered 8 goals and 5 assists, he has the ability to beat players and is good at set pieces. What surely worked against Maddison was before Leicester’s league game with West Ham in April he was amongst the players who breached the Covid regulations and was ultimately left out of the team for the game. Discipline is a key thing when there is such great competition and your place is not a certainty. Last season Maddison seemed to be ahead of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, this is clearly not the case now.
Bar Kalvin Phillips, Leeds’ Englishman were snubbed. Up front Patrick Bamford delivered 17 goals (joint-4th) and 7 assists but was not considered. Bamford is tidy on the ball and being left footed could have given a different option. He brings others into play, which is vital with how good some of England’s wide options and midfielders are at getting into the box. If a case was made for Leicester’s Maddison then statistically Bamford’s on loan teammate Jack Harrison has to be mentioned also. I never expected him to get in to Southgate’s plans as he has not been in any of the previous squads, but his 8 goals and 8 assists should not go unnoticed, when you remember 33 men were picked. Injuries robbed Southampton’s Danny Ings of a place. He missed nine league games this term after being ever-present in 2019/20, but he still got to 12 league goals. Ings’ industry and guile would have been beneficial in tournament football, but injuries meant Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins have moved ahead of him in the pecking order.
Pre-Final Squad Announcement Thoughts
Seven players of course had to be cut. Aaron Ramsdale was really only there by default as Nick Pope was out after having surgery. This was a real shame as Pope was staking a claim to be the first choice keeper. My initial thought was that Trent Alexander-Arnold would be one of the men ousted. I did not believe Southgate has ever been Alexander-Arnold’s biggest fan and with there being another 3 left backs in the squad, I expected one of them to be let go. Reports as late as the morning of the final squad being announced backed this as many publications ran stories that he would be omitted. Alexander-Arnold’s attributes are there for the world to see, and I do not feel England are the most attacking, so for me he should be picked. Ben Godfrey has been very good this season, and he has covered well along of all positions of Everton’s backline, but I did not expect Southgate to take him. He is a very good option to have going forward however. Ben White, I did not see going either, but I do see him as one who will be in many squads in the future too.
James Ward-Prowse is another versatile player, the central midfielder can also play at right back but I did not expect him to make it. He is a set piece specialist and this was a key part of England’s progression through the World Cup, but I could not see him making the final cut. Jude Bellingham is the future, but I had a feeling he would not be taken, only really down to his age as he has many tournaments to look forward to. Ollie Watkins I perceived was more than likely to be the last man left out as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ahead of him. I actually feel Watkins holds the ball up better than Calvert-Lewin, but the Everton man has done well in the few caps he has gained.
Final Squad Announcement
Goalkeepers
In goal as expected Aaron Ramsdale was the man left out. Jordan Pickford you would think will more than likely start against Croatia. Manchester United’s Dean Henderson did not end the season well, especially having a really tough outing in the 4-2 home defeat to Liverpool. This also cost him a starting place in the Europa League final defeat to Villarreal. Sam Johnstone has come a long way and will be proud just being in the squad.
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold despite all the speculation made the squad. So Southgate had 4 right backs, which was not expected. In his press conference after the provisional squad was named he did point out all the right backs were versatile. Alexander-Arnold used to play in midfield which he viewed could be an option here. Reece James can play as a right sided centre half as well as his natural position. This of course applies to Kyle Walker too, who played on the right of the three centre halves in the World Cup. Whereas Kieran Trippier who either side of a 3-month ban has had a very solid season for title winners Atletico Madrid can also play at left back.
Ben Godfrey and Ben White missed out as predicted. With Conor Coady, John Stones and Tyrone Mings in at centre back, it is more than likely if Southgate uses three at the back that Walker or James will start. Harry Maguire is struggling for fitness and may not be risked for the first match. Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell will battle it out at left back. Again the formation chosen may determine who starts the first game. A back four will more likely suit Shaw, whereas a wing-back role is probably better for Chilwell.
Midfielders
Jude Bellingham finished the season well with Borussia Dortmund and the 17-year old made it in, a little to my surprise. His box-to-box play gives England something different. Jordan Henderson has not played for Liverpool since their home defeat in February to Everton, but as long as he does not have a recurrence of his groin issue will be a key figure. Mason Mount and Phil Foden (actually listed as a forward) have both had great seasons at their respective clubs and will provide creativity as well as a goal threat. Kalvin Phillips picked up a knock in Leeds’ final game but should be fine, but Declan Rice you would assume will start next to Henderson. James Ward-Prowse was omitted as I thought and I feel he was unlucky. Jesse Lingard was arguably the best player in the league in the second part of the season, but he was left out also. Lingard was one of the bright sparks in the 2018 World Cup and he may have got England a goal out of nothing, but Southgate decided against him.
Forwards
Southgate has stacked up heavily in this department. Harry Kane was of course the first name in the squad. But the only other out-and-out striker named was Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as Ollie Watkins did not make the final squad. Mason Greenwood pulled out of the squad due to an underlying injury and we may never know whether or not he would have gone. Jack Grealish at a stage did not seem to be Southgate’s ‘cup of tea’ but he made it. Marcus Rashford is in and despite his recent form being indifferent he may end up starting against Croatia. Jadon Sancho would be one of the first names if I was naming an England XI, but I feel he will only be used as an impact player. I do hope to be proved wrong however. Raheem Sterling had been mainly out of favour recently for Manchester City but he started the Champions League final and I see him starting the first game for England also. Bukayo Saka was selected and he of course has been used at left wing-back by Southgate. He has mass potential and his versatility could make him more important than perceived.
Post-Squad Evaluation
I am not sure Southgate knows what his best XI is or his preferred formation. England have not used 3 at the back since they disposed of Iceland 4-0 at Wembley. His selections however lead me to think that he will play with 3 centre backs. One of the three games played since that Iceland match however was against San Marino so there is no need to use 3 when your opposition are part-timers.
Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion has you wondering whether or not Southgate may have hesitated at the thought of not picking him and backtracked. There sometimes is no smoke without fire and you must wonder why outlets were so convinced that he would not be picked, only for him to be selected in the end. Even in a 26-man squad, four men who can play the same position seems excessive. Greenwood’s withdrawal may have given Southgate the lifeline he needed. The central defence is what could cost England unfortunately; if they are expansive there should be enough goals in the side but the central defence worries me. One thing they cannot do is be caught playing it out from the back, and they must limit individual errors.
We hope and pray as a nation that we can get just a fraction of that World Cup feeling. After all that has happened with lockdown, England could have us in store for a great summer. Let us see what happens.
@DubulDee
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