England and Scotland are hoping for some excitement. The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship kicked off on 14 June. As usual, English hopes and expectations going into the tournament are high – so who are the players who have been called up?
For the more casual England supporters, some of the names on this year’s Three Lions team sheet may be unfamiliar. A provisional 33-man squad was announced by manager Gareth Southgate on 21 May, but that was officially cut down to 26 on 6 June.
England’s goalkeepers
Three goalkeepers were named in the final squad. Everton’s Jordan Pickford, the England Number 1 since the 2018 World Cup, will be the expected first choice. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson have also been selected.
Ramsdale has described his 2023-24 season as difficult, after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta dropped him for on-loan Brentford goalkeeper David Raya. However, Southgate expressed his faith in the 25-year-old’s abilities despite the lack of playing time.
Despite injury woes, Henderson had publicly said that he was hoping for an England recall. Injury problems have plagued past England goalkeepers such as Newcastle’s Nick Pope and Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone, but Henderson’s return to fitness has proven instrumental to his inclusion in the squad.
The defenders
Southgate has chosen eight defenders for the final squad. Some have been mainstays of the Three Lions such as Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones (with 83 and 72 international appearances respectively). While not as experienced in an England shirt as either Walker or Stones, Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier is considered a senior player and an option for both left and right back. Manchester United left back Luke Shaw has also been called up, despite having not played since February due to injury.
However, Southgate has selected a number of players who have either sparingly made appearances for the national team or are younger talents.
Prior to his recall for friendlies against Belgium and Brazil in March 2024, Liverpool’s Joe Gomez had not received an England call up since 2020. Gomez has been commended for his versatility, with then manager Jürgen Klopp praising his ability to “play all the positions at the back” and highlighting the defender’s importance for Liverpool. Similarly, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has gained praise for his club form despite a lack of experience on an international level.
Finally, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi and Brighton’s Lewis Dunk will be going to their first international tournament as senior England players. Despite only being 23 years old, Guéhi has been a regular inclusion in Southgate’s England squad (with the exception of the 2022 World Cup), with his dependability and quiet defensive work being praised. Dunk’s inclusion in the squad was a controversial one after his heavily criticised performances against Belgium and Brazil, but the Brighton captain’s performances at club level have been lauded.
The midfielders
Six midfielders were selected in the final squad, including the likes of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Declan Rice. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been a long-time England player, but his naming as a midfielder rather than a defender (where he usually plays for his club) did draw media and fan attention. While not as experienced as some of the other players, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher was part of England’s 2022 World Cup squad as an unused substitute.
England’s young midfield duo of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have received public attention and praise. Mainoo’s winning goals against Wolves, Liverpool and Manchester City have made him an essential player for Manchester United despite being only 19 years old.
Wharton was a late addition to the Crystal Palace squad, having been signed from Championship side Blackburn Rovers on transfer deadline day. Nonetheless, the 20-year-old’s performances for both club and country have garnered praise from fans, pundits and football industry professionals alike.
The forwards
England’s attacking prowess has been often cited as a justification for their ‘favourites’ tag, with some of England’s biggest football stars including Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, and Manchester City’s Phil Foden among the nine players selected. But it is in this position where Southgate’s intention to prioritise club form over past performances is most apparent.
Even though he has only got his England senior debut in the qualifiers for this year’s tournament, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has had a breakout season, having 42 goals and assists in 48 appearances in all competitions. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen also enjoyed successful seasons, with 40 goal contributions in 53 appearances and 30 goal contributions in 44 appearances respectively.
Additionally, Brentford’s Ivan Toney was surprisingly named amid speculation that he may lose his spot to Watkins. When asked about the inclusion of both strikers in the final squad, Southgate explained that he felt the qualities of both Toney and Watkins were needed in the team.
Several of the players that Southgate chose impressed towards the end of the season. One example is Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with many of his 17 goal contributions (including a memorable winner against Liverpool in April) coming after the arrival of former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner in February. Eze also impressed during England’s pre-tournament win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon also had a strong season despite his occasional injury struggles, being praised for his goal contributions on club level including a controversial winner against Arsenal.
England’s challengers and the favourites
England have been placed into Group C alongside Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia. Scotland also qualified for the tournament and are in Group A with Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.
Alongside England, the main favourites are France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. However, the likes of Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia have also been given an outside chance of winning.
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