As the day dawns for England’s Euro 2024 hopefuls, the air is thick with anticipation and anxiety. Players are switching their phones off silent mode, awaiting the crucial message that will determine their participation in the tournament.

For those who don’t receive the anticipated notification or worse, get a call from Gareth Southgate himself, it often signals bad news.

Most players have a sense of their chances, but the final confirmation brings either joy or disappointment.

Southgate has been proactive, reaching out to several players to check on their progress and fitness, a positive sign for those contacted.

Additionally, the England player liaison team has been busy requesting shirt sizes for players’ family members, hinting at their inclusion in the squad.

However, silence from these quarters can be ominous, indicating potential exclusion from the team.

The Extended Squad and Initial Cuts

This afternoon, Southgate will name an extended squad of over 30 players at St George’s Park.

While this prolongs the agony for those on the fringe, it provides a glimmer of hope for a few more weeks.

Any player who is fit but not named in today’s extended list was never really in contention for the final squad.

The final squad of 26 players, set to be announced on June 8, will inevitably exclude some established names.

For instance, Raheem Sterling, a fixture in England’s last five tournament squads, is not expected to make even the extended squad.

Kalvin Phillips, once England’s player of the season, is also bracing for disappointment.

Southgate’s current focus on strengthening the defense due to injuries among key defenders means several forwards, including Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, face an anxious wait.

Emerging Talent and Established Names Under Threat

Rashford and Grealish, normally assured of their places, have had underwhelming seasons and thus, their inclusion is uncertain.

Conversely, the emergence of young talents like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, who are expected to be in the starting XI, adds pressure on more established forwards.

Other rising stars such as Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, and Anthony Gordon are also in contention, with Palmer particularly impressing this season.

The battle to be Harry Kane’s backup striker sees Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins in direct competition.

Despite Toney’s lack of goals since February, his playing style aligns more closely with Kane’s, making Southgate’s decision more complex.

Meanwhile, Watkins has had a stellar season, scoring 27 goals for Aston Villa, which makes him a strong contender.

Midfield and Defensive Dilemmas

In midfield, Eberechi Eze’s exceptional form for Crystal Palace has put pressure on James Maddison, whose performance for Tottenham has dipped.

Southgate has a high regard for Eze, sending his trusted assistant, Steve Holland, to scout him.

This also allowed Holland to assess Palace’s developing midfielder Adam Wharton, considered a future England international, and left-back Tyrick Mitchell, who could fill in due to injuries among key defenders.

Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo made a positive impression on Southgate during previous international fixtures, potentially earning him a spot.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, expected to be selected as a midfielder, will also provide an option at right-back, though Southgate seems to prefer him in midfield.

The Full-Back Conundrum

Luke Shaw’s three-month absence due to a hamstring injury poses a significant challenge for Southgate.

Shaw’s inclusion in the long list aims to allow him to regain fitness during the pre-tournament training camp, but his availability for the opening game against Serbia on June 16 remains doubtful.

Kieran Trippier is likely to start if Shaw isn’t ready, though Southgate might take the risk on Shaw if he believes Shaw can be fit for the knockout stages.

To mitigate defensive concerns, Southgate might utilize the ability to name 26 players instead of the traditional 23, which could favor versatile defenders like Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa.

Conclusion: Tough Choices Ahead

As the Euro 2024 squad announcement looms, Gareth Southgate faces several difficult decisions.

Balancing the inclusion of seasoned players with the integration of emerging talents will be crucial in forming a squad capable of ending England’s long wait for a major trophy since 1966.

The anticipation builds as fans and players alike await the final decisions, knowing that every choice will shape England’s chances in the upcoming tournament.

TDPel Media

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