Gareth Southgate has named a preliminary 33-man England squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament. It was revealed yesterday that the boss would delay the final announcement of the 26-man squad, likely due to the involvements of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in European finals this week.
Gareth Southgate Names Provisional England Euro 2020 Squad
White and Godfrey Called Up
Prior to the official announcement, it was revealed by The Athletic that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ben White and Everton’s Ben Godfrey would be part of Southgate’s initial squad.
Reporter Andy Naylor confirmed White’s involvement earlier this morning, which will be the defender’s first at any level of the England set-up.
Godfrey’s inclusion, meanwhile, was revealed by Greg O’Keeffe. The 23-year-old former Norwich City defender has played nine times for the U21s but this is his first call-up to the senior side.
Big Decisions Still to Make
With this being an even bigger squad that expected to be named yesterday, Southgate will have some tough decisions to make still.
England U21 goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, part of the Sheffield United side that have endured a miserable Premier League campaign, is in currently as a fourth-choice goalkeeper. The chances of England taking four to the tournament are slim even with increased squads, and it will likely be between him and West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Johnstone to face the chop next week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, probably the most talked-about player prior to this announcement, is in for now too. However, with four right-backs named and Southgate preferring a more defensively-solid approach, he could be another to be cut.
In midfield, Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham has been selected, and after impressing with the Black and Yellow this season, it’s hard to see any reason why he would be one of the seven to be cut. Jesse Lingard is also in after a fine second half of the season on loan at West Ham United.
In the forward ranks, Ollie Watkins’ brilliant season with Aston Villa has earned him an initial call-up ahead of Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford, who was tipped by many to be selected instead of Watkins.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is also in along with Mason Greenwood of Manchester United.
With seven of these players having to be cut from the squad by June 1, there is still going to be disappointment for some of these players. However, it is certainly a look into how Southgate is planning to set up for international call-ups in the future.
Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Ben Godfrey, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Attackers: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Mason Greenwood, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Ollie Watkins
Main Photo
