England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?

England will play Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia in Group C when they begin their quest to win Euro 2024 this summer.

Gareth Southgate’s side topped their qualifying group without defeat and will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Germany on 14 July, given their recent record in major tournaments and the outstanding form of attacking duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham this season.

But there are now only two friendlies left for players to impress the manager before he decides on his final 23 players.

England can look forward to glamour exhibition matches against Brazil and Belgium later this month, after Southgate named his squad for those contests, but the fierce competition for places will mean form in the Premier League and around Europe will be crucial for the rest of the campaign.

Here is a closer look at who is heading to the Euros, and who might miss out.

On the plane

Jordan Pickford

The Everton goalkeeper has been England’s No 1 for a long time and that position looks safe, particularly given the way his closest challenger, Aaron Ramsdale, has been usurped by David Raya at Arsenal.

John Stones

The Manchester City defender has been a stalwart for Southgate over the years, integral to deep runs at the 2018 World Cup and the last Euros, and the lack of centre-back alternatives only strengthens his position in the squad. Stones has struggled for fitness at times this season but he’s nearing top form again and if he’s available at the Euros, he will play.

(AP)

Harry Maguire

The Manchester United defender is one of Southgate’s most trusted players and he was given another vote of confidence with a start against Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying. A lack of playing time for his club had brought scepticism from fans and the media about his role this summer, but Maguire has re-established himself in the United line-up, although a recent injury has derailed him slightly again.

Kyle Walker

Experience, recovery pace and an ability to play on the right of a back three all make the Manchester City defender an essential part of Southgate’s plans. Only Kane and Harry Maguire have won more than Walker’s 61 caps since the manager took charge in 2016.

Kieran Trippier

One of Southgate’s favourites, Trippier is a certainty to be part of the squad for his experience, versatility and his set-piece delivery. His form for Newcastle this season has not been to his typical high standards but it’s not enough of an issue to stop him going to Germany this summer, where he will cover both right-back and left-back.

Jude Bellingham

The 20-year-old has quickly elevated himself to be one of England’s essential players. He is consistently producing outstanding performances both for his country and his new club, Real Madrid, racking up goals and assists after driving runs from midfield. Southgate likes Bellingham as a No 10 off Kane, and this could be the start of a fruitful partnership between England’s current captain and his likely successor. His recent injury was a slight worry but he has since recovered.

(The FA via Getty Images)

Declan Rice

Rice has made an outstanding start to life at Arsenal, and his importance at international level has grown immeasurably over the past few years to the point where he is crucial to how England play.

Phil Foden

Foden is having his best season yet in a Manchester City shirt, becoming a talisman for the club that delivers time and again. He will be 24 when the Euros come around and is becoming increasingly essential to Pep Guardiola’s City team, as well as England. His velcro control is unique in the national squad and Southgate’s only conundrum is where to fit Foden’s attacking talents into a team containing Bellingham, Saka and more.

Bukayo Saka

Saka is a popular member of the current group who is becoming a senior player, with 11 goals in 32 appearances, despite being only 22. Saka’s having another excellent season for Arsenal, while his versatility down both the left and right flank, and ability to play as an attacking wing-back if needed, is handy for a manager who likes to chop and change systems.

(The FA via Getty Images)

Harry Kane

England’s captain remains their talisman on the pitch, both with his leadership and with his goals as he continues to add to his record tally. Kane has hit the ground running at Bayern Munich, and the 30-year-old has talked up the virtues of the Bundesliga’s winter break and playing one fewer domestic cup competition. Southgate will hope Kane is fit and fresh when the Euros come around.

Nearly there

Aaron Ramsdale

The goalkeeper is losing his battle for a starting place at Arsenal with David Raya, but even if he only plays a back-up role for the rest of the season at the Emirates, he is likely to go to the Euros as Pickford’s deputy.

Lewis Dunk

Brighton’s captain had to wait five years for his second international cap but has done well with the opportunities presented to him in recent months. Dunk’s aerial dominance and ball-playing ability, honed at Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi, are valuable traits at centre-half, one of England’s most uncertain positions.

Ben Chilwell

The Chelsea left-back didn’t play a single minute at the last Euros and watched on as Shaw (and occasionally Trippier) filled that spot. He should travel to the tournament once more, especially given Luke Shaw’s injury troubles, if he can stay fit himself.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold has previously struggled to get games for England at right-back, but a switch into midfield has seen him more involved. The Liverpool vice-captain offers creativity as well as set-piece delivery, and may push his way into the starting XI alongside Rice as a deep-lying midfielder.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Conor Gallagher

Gallagher has been bright and energetic in his cluster of England caps and is clearly valued by the manager, and seems to have done enough to usurp more well-established internationals. Regular starts for Chelsea this season are certainly pushing his case in a position where England lack depth.

Jordan Henderson

The midfielder was booed by England fans in recent internationals at Wembley following his move to the Saudi Pro League but that only seemed to strengthen Southgate’s loyalties to the player. The manager values Henderson’s professionalism, experience and leadership in a youthful squad, and his push for a place on the plane could be boosted by his return to European football with Ajax. There are not many obvious deputies for Rice in the holding role and that plays in Henderson’s favour.

James Maddison

The midfielder struggled with an injury at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which prevented him from making an appearance, but his form for Tottenham has demanded a place in recent squads and Maddison is poised to travel as deputy to Bellingham in the No 10 role who can also play as an attacking No 8.

(EPA)

Jack Grealish

The City winger took time earning Southgate’s approval but, at 28 and with a treble on his CV, is now a regular squad member. However, a lack of recent game time for City, followed by an injury sustained against Luton, will be a concern for the England manager.

Marcus Rashford

The Manchester United forward is the third-highest goalscorer of the Southgate era, with 16, behind only Kane and Raheem Sterling. His pace and direct runs towards goal from the left wing complement Kane’s preference to drop deep and link play, and he can also offer an option as a No 9 should it be needed. But his poor club form has raised questions while others like Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon push for places – will Southgate keep faith?

Ollie Watkins

Watkins is in pole position to play the role of Kane’s deputy at the Euros, with a consistent stream of goals and assists since Unai Emery took over at Aston Villa. His Premier League goal involvements this season are right near the top of the charts and make Watkins increasingly difficult to ignore.

In contention

Sam Johnstone

The Crystal Palace goalkeeper is likely to be England’s third-choice goalkeeper and played well in last year’s friendly with Australia. He had lost his club place to Dean Henderson in recent months, but has won it back since the arrival of new Palace manager Oliver Glasner.

Marc Guehi

The Palace defender is highly rated by the England coaching team and, at 23, could be a future cornerstone of the back line. Centre-back is a position that’s up for grabs at Euro 2024 and Guehi has a real chance, especially after recent starts in qualifying. But a recent knee injury required surgery and could disrupt his preparation for the tournament.

Joe Gomez

The 26-year-old defender has been a regular fixture in the Liverpool side since early December and his versatility could help earn a place in the England squad. He is back in the fold for March’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.

(Getty Images)

Jarrod Bowen

Bowen is having a good season for West Ham and showed bright attacking intent in his five England caps to date, but faces stiff competition in the winger roles from the likes of Saka, Grealish and Foden.

Anthony Gordon

The Newcastle winger is enjoying a fine season at St James’ Park and his flurry of goal involvements make a compelling case. Gordon has yet to play for his country at senior level and will hope for a chance in March’s two friendly games after being called up to the senior squad.

Cole Palmer

The player racing up the outside is Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who is fast becoming a talisman on the pitch for Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues. Palmer’s touch, creativity and eye for goal have all been on display this season and he is giving Southgate a difficult decision to make. He has two caps and will surely get more chances to impress in March’s friendlies. On form alone, he has to be on the plane but we know Southgate likes to lean on long-trusted players.

Ivan Toney

The Brentford striker has returned from a betting ban with some goals to put himself back in Southgate’s thoughts, and earned an immediate recall to the squad for March’s friendlies. It may be too little too late, but his physicality does offer a different type of threat to forward rivals Watkins and Solanke.

(The FA via Getty Images)

Work to do

Ezri Konsa

Konsa is a vital part of an impressive Aston Villa team under Unai Emery but he did not win a first senior cap after his first international call-up in November. May get a chance in the March friendlies after another call-up to the squad.

Jarrad Branthwaite

The Everton centre-half has been impressive all season at the heart of Sean Dyche’s defence, with composure on the ball that belies his 21 years. Branthwaite will hope for an opportunity in March’s friendly games to make his England debut after receiving his first senior England call up.

Luke Shaw

When fit, Shaw is the preferred left-back in this England team, bringing attacking threat on the overlap as well as long-standing relationships with both Maguire and Rashford at Manchester United. But he has spent most of this season out with a leg injury and his latest hamstring strain is set to keep him out until May. With Chilwell as an excellent alternative, and Trippier as a viable deputy, Shaw may struggle to regain his Euros place, even if he recovers in time, with Southgate saying he is “touch and go” to make the Euros.

(Tim Goode/PA)

Reece James

The full-back is one of the best in the world when fully fit but his lack of consistent fitness is a concern, particularly with the smaller 23-player squad this time around. What’s more, James is fighting for a place against a competitive field of Walker, Trippier and Alexander-Arnold.

Kalvin Phillips

Phillips is another firm favourite with the England manager but he has not shown his best for quite some time. His recent red card for West Ham brought criticism and he needs to improve quickly to be assured of a place at the Euros. Then again, the lack of competition in England’s midfield, combined with the trust he has already built up with Southgate over the past two tournaments, means Phillips could well be in the final squad.

(PA Wire)

Raheem Sterling

Southgate has talked up Sterling’s chances of figuring in his plans to the media but the Chelsea winger has not been involved in recent camps and faces a fight against Foden, Rashford and Grealish, among others, to figure on the left side of England’s attack in the manager’s preferred formation. His form this term has shown signs of promise, but is it enough to earn a recall?

Dominic Solanke

The Bournemouth striker has been sensational in what is proving to be the best season of his career to date. The 26-year-old has matured into a sharp No 9 and he is in contention for Euro 2024, but Kane and Watkins are the front-runners for what will probably be only two out-and-out striker berths in the final squad.

Outside bets

Jack Butland

Given England’s lack of depth in the goalkeeping position, a recall for the 30-year-old Butland is not out of the question after an impressive season so far for Rangers.

Ben White

The Arsenal defender left the 2022 World Cup for personal reasons and has not returned to the England setup. Southgate revealed that White “doesn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time”, and it seems unlikely the right-back will change his mind before the Euros.

Eric Dier

The former Tottenham defender is enjoying a run of games in Bayern Munich’s side after reuniting with Harry Kane in Germany. The 30-year-old has experience and versatility on his side.

(Reuters)

Fikayo Tomori

Southgate criticised the Milan defender last year for making too many mistakes but Tomori has shown good form in Serie A and earned an autumn recall to the England squad. The manager still seems to prefer Dunk and others to the ex-Chelsea man as England’s back-up centre-backs, however.

Levi Colwill

The Chelsea defender has established himself in Mauricio Pochettino’s team and has the ability to play both centre-back and left-back. Aged 20, this tournament may come just too soon with more experienced players ahead in the pecking order.

Kobbie Mainoo

The 18-year-old has two international options to choose from, and England could be keen to rush him into the senior setup to prevent him from deciding to represent Ghana. Mainoo has had an impressive breakthrough year at Manchester United after graduating from the academy, and has played for England’s youth teams in the past.

(PA Archive)

James Ward-Prowse

The West Ham midfielder is in mixed form for his club and out of favour for his country, having missed out on the past two major tournaments and having been excluded from recent squads. There were calls for him to replace Henderson in midfield, but Southgate remains as yet unmoved.

Eberechi Eze

The talented Palace midfielder has a couple of international caps but needs a stellar season to break into the Euros squad and injury is not helping his cause.

Mason Mount

Mount has found himself pushed out of the England team by emerging talent and his own unconvincing form for new club Manchester United, although injuries have interrupted his season. He needs some goals and assists to earn a recall but it appears unlikely at this late stage.

(Getty Images)

Predicting England’s Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Ramsdale, Johnstone.

Defenders: Walker, Trippier, Guehi, Stones, Dunk, Maguire, Chilwell.

Midfielders: Rice, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Maddison, Bellingham.

Forwards: Saka, Foden, Palmer, Grealish, Rashford, Kane, Watkins.