Luke's Football blog

Goalkeepers:

Jordan Pickford

Pickford is bound to be England’s number one for the third tournament in a row. The ever-present shot stopper will be important to England if they want to go on another deep run at the euros, with his saves keeping England in the tournament in the past.

Aaron Ramsdale

Ramsdale will be the second-choice goalkeeper, even though he hasn’t played as much this season for his side. With injuries to Sam Johnstone and Nick Pope, he will be playing second fiddle to Pickford.

Dean Henderson

I reckon Dean Henderson will be the third-choice goalkeeper in Germany after impressive late-season performances coming in for the injured Johnstone; he has earned his place on the plane, which was something out of reach a year ago.

Defenders:

John Stones

Arguably the easiest choice of the list, Stones is the best centre back England has to offer. His calmness on the ball and his amazing intelligence and experience will be crucial for Southgate this summer, and he will be starting every single game for England.

Harry Maguire

Maguire hasn’t played for a month, so it will be a race for him to be fit, but if he is, he will slot straight next to Stones if fit, as they have formed a formidable centre-back partnership in the past, and that will hopefully continue in the summer.

Marc Guehi

He is a player Southgate is fond of and will add some quality as a backup to Stones and Maguire, who will be nailed on starters in the summer. He hasn’t been fit for the end of the season, but he’s managed to come back fit in time for the Euros, and he is a player that should make the plane.

Jarrad Branthwaite

He is a player who has had a standout season for his side, and he will be another good player to have at the Euros. He’s strong and good in the air, and he will be a key squad player for Southgate in the summer. He is deserving of a place on the plane.

Ben Chilwell

He is a player who has struggled with injuries, but he is also a player who has quality and has shown it at the top level in the past. If he can keep fit, I’m sure he will be on the plane, and I reckon he deserves a place. He has had his criticism, but he can show he has quality in his boots.

Tyrick Mitchell

This is a bit of a controversial pick, but he is deserving of a place in the squad this summer. He has come alive under Glasner and has shown the form that got him an England cap back in 2022. With his attacking output improving and his defensive awareness as good as usual, he will be a good player to have in the summer.

Kieran Trippier

He is another one of the more experienced players in the squad, and he has shown he has quality, especially for England, in the past. It has been an up-and-down season for the right back, but he deserves a place because he is someone who has never let England down, and he provides leadership and vital experience.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent usually plays in midfield for Southgate, but his natural position is right back, and he is a nailed-on pick for this squad as he is arguably one of the best players in the squad. With his amazing vision and precise passing range, he is a great player to have at his disposal.

Midfielders

Declan Rice

He is another player that is a nailed-on choice; he is a player that is top quality and has always managed to put in 7/10 performances every game. He will be a key player for Gareth at the Euros once again with the way he plays, allowing the player in front of him to express themselves.

Jude Bellingham

The most nailed-on pick in the squad, he will definitely be a huge part of the England squad this summer. Off the back of a La Liga title with Real Madrid and a potential Champions League title, he is one to watch this summer with his amazing performances propelling Real Madrid to the title, and he will hope to do the same for his country.

Conor Gallagher

This is a hugely debatable choice as some people wouldn’t include him in the squad, but I feel he will be a great squad player as his energy off the bench will be crucial when England are holding onto a lead as he will be able to close people down with his amazing stamina and high work rate off the ball.

Kobbie Mainoo

This was a hard choice as I felt that Wharton also deserves a place, but I think Kobbie just edges it; he has been a shining star for an under-par Manchester United team and has become a stalemate in the United team, and I feel he will provide good competition for Rice and Bellingham should he be picked.

Phil Foden

The Premier League player of the season will definitely be on the plane and will start. He has had an incredible season, winning the Premier League for the fourth time in a row, and he was instrumental in winning it. He should be starting in the attacking midfielder role, as he plays best in the centre.

Eberechi Eze

He is a player that also should be on the plane; his end-of-season run propelled his side to a top-half finish, and he is someone with bags of quality. If he gets the freedom, he will be so deadly; he is a good option to have, and he will provide a creative spark that is different from any other attackers England has at their disposal.

Jarrod Bowen

He is someone who would be another good addition to Southgate’s side, as his pace and trickery will be good to unlock defences off the bench. I chose him purely as a squad option off the bench, but he could become a starter in a dead rubber game if England secures qualification before the last match.

Attackers

Cole Palmer

Young Player of the Year Cole Palmer is basically a guaranteed pick. He has been promising for his new side and scored important goals to take them back to Europe, and he will surely play a part in this tournament, whether as a starter or coming off the bench.

Bukayo Saka

Saka is someone who will definitely play a huge role in the euros he has shown in the past. He can play well for England, netting a hatrick against North Macedonia in the qualifying stages, and he will be an important member of Southgate’s squad in the summer, with his pace and trickery being vital.

Anthony Gordon

He has shown this season that his huge price tag was worth it, and he deserves a place as he could prove a good squad player for Gareth Southgate, as he has been impressive for his side, chipping in with 10 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League this season, and he could be a good person to come off the bench.

Jack Grealish

I feel he hasn’t had the best of seasons, but he is a good squad player to have off the bench, as he’s good at winning fouls in crucial areas when England need to hold onto a lead. I wouldn’t use him as a starter, as there are better players in front of him, but as a backup squad player, he would be of great use.

Harry Kane

He is the most important player in the squad. England capital and talisman, he will be a hugely important player to the squad, with his goals being crucial in past tournaments. With an amazing season for his new side, he is coming to the Euros in fine form, and the country will hope he can lead them to glory.

Ollie Watkins

Watkins has had his best Premier League season to date, and he will surely go as a backup to Harry Kane this summer. He has a completely different striker profile from Kane, as he chips in with both goals and assists, and his link-up play allows other people to get involved in the attack.

Dominic Solanke

This is another debatable pick, as people will think Southgate will go with three strikers this summer, but I went with four in my squad. Solanke is a player who has been in hot form this season, chipping in with 19 Premier League goals this season. I don’t think Southgate would pick him, favouring the likes of Toney and Watkins, but I feel he would be good competition for Kane.

Ivan Toney

He is someone who again offers a different striker profile—someone who is technically good on the ball and can link the play well. He is a good backup and will be a good option off the bench if England are chasing a goal, with his fast pace and clinical finishing being key to his game.