Gareth Southgate announced his latest England squad earlier today ahead of their Euro 2024 warm up games against Brazil and Belgium. Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon are the only new faces to the squad whilst there are recalls for Joe Gomez, James Maddison and Ivan Toney.
Let's see what I think of the squad.
Both Branthwaite and Gordon deserve their call ups because they've been in excellent form for theirs clubs this season. Gordon has arguably been Newcastle's best player this season and was the best player at the U21 Euros last summer which England went on to win. Branthwaite was also part of that team and has established himself as a regular for Everton under Sean Dyche.
Joe Gomez deserves his recall as he's been in excellent form for Liverpool since the turn of the year. He's played in a variety of positions recently including right back, left back and even central midfield due to certain players in those positions being injured and he has stepped up brilliantly when playing in those positions. He's back in the squad for the first time since 2020.
James Maddison was probably expecting to be recalled as he's been included in previous squads. He was included in the last squad back in November, but had to pull out due to injury. His inclusion will still go down as a recall though because of him missing the last international break.
I'm surprised that Ivan Toney has been recalled as I wasn't expecting him to be included not long after returning from an 8 month ban. He has been in decent since returning from his suspension, but I don't think he's been in the kind of form that warrants an England call up. I thought Dominic Solanke would be included ahead of him as he's been in excellent form for Bournemouth all season.
In terms of the rest of the squad, I'm surprised that Aaron Ramsdale has been included as he hasn't had much game time at Arsenal after losing his in the team to David Raya. I thought Jack Butland might've been included ahead of him as he's been in decent form for Rangers and is getting more game time. Marcus Rashford's inclusion is also a surprise as he hasn't been in good enough for for Man United all season. He form has picked up a bit since the turn of the year, but I still don't think he's been in good enough form to be included. I have questioned Conor Gallagher being included in the past but as he's been in good form for Chelsea this season, I can understand him being included.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker (Man City), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), John Stones (Man City), Harry Maguire (Man United), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
MIDFIELDERS: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Phil Foden (Man City), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Antony Gordon (Newcastle)
FORWARDS: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Marcus Rashford (Man United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Brentford)
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