Gareth Southgate faces tough choices
With Euro 2024 fast approaching, Gareth Southgate's England team is starting to take shape. Telegraph Sport assesses what the squad would look like if he were selected now:
GoalkeepersJordan Pickford 
Jordan Pickford performed well for Everton » Photo: Getty Images/Tony McArdle
Will play in the final game of the weekend thanks to some excellent work earlier in the month. Newcastle fans were shooting themselves in the foot when they tried to get excited about the ex-Sunderland goalkeeper because it could bring out the best in him, as it did when he helped save a point against Everton. He then kept a clean sheet against Burnley.
Nick Pope
The Newcastle goalkeeper still needs to return to action before the end of the season, but Sam Johnstone now has the opportunity after going under the knife and will miss the Euros with an elbow injury. Pope is expected later this month, giving him some time to prove his fitness ahead of the tournament.
Aaron Ramsdale
Has been linked with a move to Newcastle, who will be looking for a younger No. 2 goalkeeper this summer, although there is no guarantee there will be a regular starting spot if Pope is fit. Arsenal will rely on David Rye to win the title. Even after the defeat to Aston Villa, the situation is unlikely to change. Ramsdale continues to be a good number three for England at the Euros in terms of maximizing preparation and supporting the other goalkeepers.
DefendersKyle Walker 
Kyle Walker is Gareth Southgate's best right-back Photo: Getty Images/Mark Atkins
Returned to the bench this weekend after limping off against Brazil during the international break. His place in the team is secured as long as he is fit and Southgate has twice talked him out of retiring from his international career to keep him in his plans. Still one of the best one-on-one right-backs and can play as a third centre-back, while Pep Guardiola has turned him around to play in central midfield when Manchester City have the ball.
Kieran TrippierAlso sidelined and missing international action in March with a calf injury. His form has dipped over the Christmas period, but he is an important part of Southgate's team due to his ability to play on either flank and his threat from set-pieces. Occupying the reserve left-back frees up space elsewhere.
John Stones
Missed the win over Luton but that was merely a precaution as he returned to the starting line-up for last weekend's win over Crystal Palace after picking up an adductor problem while playing for England against Belgium. Was at the center of Southgate's defense during his most important triumphs. His fitness is questionable this season, but he will be on the plane unless he gets injured.
Harry Maguire 
Harry Maguire is now playing regularly for Manchester United again. Photo: Reuters/Carl Recine
Drawed 2:2 against Bournemouth. The number of strikes United have inflicted is hardly an advertisement for a solid defense, but Southgate remained loyal to Maguire when he was bullied by his own fans, so it's safe to say he will be in his plans for Germany. The centre-back has returned to Manchester United under Erik ten Hag after appearing to leave the club in the summer.
Marc Guey
Another is currently recovering from injury, but if he is fit, Southgate rates him highly for his solid performances at Crystal Palace and he never seems to get into trouble. He recently quoted Paolo Maldini when he talked about staying under the radar: “Maldini said that if you have to make a tackle, you are in the wrong position to begin with.”
Ezri Konsa
With one open centre-back slot remaining, Konsa shows excellent chances ahead of Lewis Dunk, Fikayo Tomori or the versatile Levi Colville. His clean sheet against Arsenal on Sunday is another example of how far he has come in recent seasons.
Luke Shaw
Ten Hag says his left-back will be back in action before the end of the season and it will be give Southgate a huge boost. Ben Chilwell returned from injury but did not perform well against Brazil before improving in the draw with Belgium. Trippier can cover the left flank, but he will need a specialist for this position.
Pick a winner Play here Midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass is the best in the business. Photo: PA/Nick Potts
Came back from the bench in the match against Crystal Palace, which ended in defeat. But seeing him on the field was a huge boost. It appears to have been Alexander-Arnold versus Kalvin Phillips for the role alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, with the Liverpool man pushing ahead in recent months. Yes, he can also cover at right-back, but it is his ability to control the game and his passing range that will help him make this team. He is preparing to recover from a knee injury.
Kobby Mainu
Looked right at home on the international stage against Belgium where he had the discipline to hold his position but could also dribble the ball forward. He could be a direct replacement for Jordan Henderson, who boosted his Euro chances with his move to Ajax but missed March's international tournament with a stroke and is now expected to miss three club games. He is a leader off the pitch but Mainu gave Southgate a selection headache.
Jude Bellingham
Hopes will be pinned on La Liga's top scorer and England international. All eyes will be on the Real Madrid star in the final games of the season. If he remains fit, he will start for Southgate as an advanced midfielder. Showed his class in the final moments of the match against Belgium when he saved a draw. One of the Real Madrid players who played in the match against Mallorca between the Champions League matches against Manchester City.
Declan Rice
David Moyes recently suggested Arsenal's £105m payment in the summer would prove to be a bargain. It's hard to disagree with him, given that Rice played such an important role in Arsenal's title win. He can control the game and is playing better than at the last Euro. Played both games against Brazil and Belgium and the only question is who will be next to him on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen when the tournament begins in England.
Forwards Phil Foden 
Phil Foden recently scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa. Photo: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
The stunning goal against Real Madrid followed up his hat-trick against Aston Villa last week. This showed the devastating impact it can have on games. He is now playing well enough to claim a starting spot in Southgate's team after his poor luck with England. An injury kept him out of the last Euro final against Italy, and he was rested earlier in the tournament with just a yellow card remaining before he was suspended. It looks like he will now attack from the left.
Harry Kane
A split with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga was confirmed this week, but he showed his class against Arsenal in the Champions League. England had to play without him against Brazil and Belgium and that makes a big difference when the country's most prolific goalscorer is not in the team. England will hold their breath in the final weeks of the season and hope there are no injury problems.
Bukayo Saka
Surely one of Southgate's starting players when the Euros start. His straight forehand will be an important part of England's attack as they look to do better this time around. He pulled out of the squad to face Brazil and Belgium as a precaution and also missed his club's win at Luton, but showed against Manchester City and Brighton how important he is, even though he failed to achieve a result in the match with Villa.
Jack Grealish
Started the game against Real Madrid, which shows his position in the Manchester City team when he is in excellent form. He has suffered a slump after the incredible success of winning the treble with Manchester City last season, but he can still call fouls and engage defenders like no one else. If he plays enough games, it's time for him to go to the Euros.
James Maddison 
James Maddison is now a regular England player. Photo: Getty Images/Mike Hewitt
An honest assessment of Spurs' defeat to Newcastle at the weekend. He admits he is not a happy substitute, but his assist against Belgium shows how good he can be off the bench. Following his return to the England squad last year, his move to Tottenham worked out perfectly. Only an injury put an end to this. But he's done enough to earn his spot.
Cole Palmer
Compare the Chelsea striker's cool touches in important moments in the 4-3 win over Manchester United with Marcus Rashford's work when he came off the bench. like fresh legs. Palmer has been prepared for any situation since leaving Chelsea and takes his seat on the plane to Germany.
Anthony Gordon
Another great performance against Tottenham this weekend. It is possible that Gordon, Conor Gallagher or Eberechi Eze will take some sort of wild card position in the lineup. Gallagher is a great tourist and plays well, and Eze has the X-factor he showed at Anfield, but Gordon did very well against Brazil and that was enough for Southgate to take another look at Belgium.
Ivan Tony
Firstly, his ability to convert penalties may be needed at the playoff stage. He showed how good a penalty taker he is when he scored his first equalizer against Belgium on his first England appearance. He returned to the Brentford team as if he had never left after serving his suspension for breaking betting rules.
Ollie Watkins
His goal against Arsenal was another example of why Kane has two spare strikers. guaranteed to start, you have to take it. Watkins deserves his spot on merit and goals this season, even if it means a wide player like Jarrod Bowen will miss the game. He scored two more goals at the weekend against his former club Brentford.
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