Euro 2024 is just around the corner and every player in Gareth Southgate's latest squad will be doing everything they can to impress
We're now just eight months away from Euro 2024 kicking off – a tournament that England will be among the favourites for after narrowly missing out on the trophy two-and-a-bit years ago at Wembley Stadium.
Manager Gareth Southgate has, generally, done a good job at the helm. However, in more recent times, he has attracted criticism for perceived favouritism as he's stood by certain players through extended periods of poor club form.
Saying that, there are a few others in the current squad who been picked on the quality of their Premier League displays, though whether they can remain with the group until the tournament this summer remains to be seen.
These dynamics mean that there is a seriously long list of players that have a point to prove during the upcoming fixtures against Australia and Italy – and GOAL has taken a closer look at the situation:
Getty ImagesAaron Ramsdale
Since the last international break, Ramsdale has endured a tricky time of it at Arsenal, with David Raya stealing the No.1 jersey off him. For a while, it seemed like the former Sheffield United man had an outside shot of usurping Jordan Pickford as Southgate's first-choice goalkeeper. But if he cannot break back into the Arsenal side, those chances are getting slimmer by the day.
Perhaps the only way that Ramsdale can get into his international manager's good books is by stealing the show during this camp. The 25-year-old needs to attack training and make the most of the rare start he's likely to be handed against Australia – particularly as Sam Johnstone has made an exceptional start to the season at Crystal Palace.
Should Pickford be unavailable for the Euros through injury, it will most likely be one of those two stepping in – with Nick Pope oddly omitted from the most-recent squad.
AdvertisementGettyPretty much every centre-back…
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for Harry Maguire, the last international break happened. After an error-strewn display in the first match against Ukraine, Southgate took the strange decision to introduce him at the break at Hampden Park. Not long after being sarcastically cheered by the Tartan Army as he entered the fray, Maguire punted the ball into his own net. Oh dear.
In Maguire's defence, a Manchester United injury crisis means he has at least played some club football ahead of this set of England fixtures. But his continued selection ahead of some genuinely in-form defenders continues to be a bone of contention among supporters.
The group of centre-backs who have a strong case for starting over Southgate's immovable golden boy is extensive. In the current squad, Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk and Levi Colwill have all performed better than Maguire for what seems like an eternity now.
And all of them will be aiming to prove they can partner John Stones at the Euros this summer.
GettyJordan Henderson
The only member of the Three Lions squad whose inclusion has caused more of a furore than Maguire is Henderson. The midfielder's controversial move to the Saudi Pro League has led to calls for him to be removed from the international set-up, both due to the low standard of his club football as well as concerns over the country's treatment of the LGBT+ community – who the ex-Liverpool man publicly voiced his allyship for in the past.
Henderson is also not getting any younger and if he cannot prove he still belongs at the top level, Southgate might have to turn elsewhere this summer. James Ward-Prowse, in particular, can feel aggrieved to have missed out on the latest squad.
GettyKalvin Phillips
Henderson is not the only England midfielder sweating over his place in the team. Back in 2021, Phillips was named the Three Lions' Men's Player of the Year after coming from relative obscurity to partner Declan Rice at the base of Southgate's midfield at Euro 2020.
However, honours like that seem a million miles away at present, with Phillips a complete afterthought at Manchester City. He failed to overly impress against Ukraine in the last international break but will likely be given another chance in the Australia clash.
Regardless, a January move away from the Etihad is essential if Phillips is serious about reviving his international career. Even the recent absence of Rodri did not result in him playing more frequently for the Premier League champions.