England Euro 2024 squad predictions and likely picks

England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign couldn't really have gone much better for Gareth Southgate, who can now look forward to leading the Three Lions at a fourth major international tournament.

The trip over to Germany may end up being Southgate's last hurrah as England boss, and he can certainly look back on a job well done escaping a group containing Euro 2020 winners Italy and the always dangerous Ukraine with barely a scratch.

England won six of their eight games - completing an impressive double over Italy in the process - and took a home of share of the spoils in their other two; the 1-1 draw with North Macedonia disappointing but certainly not the end of the world.

Attention now turns to who Southgate will take with him to Euro 2024, with England's squad depth and emerging young talent leading to high, high expectations from many. With UEFA confirming squads can contain up to 26 players this summer, Southgate has scope to include even more talent than he first thought.

Some players are guaranteed to be boarding the plane to Germany, others will feel confident in where they're currently at, while some will know there's plenty of work to do between now and the end of the 2023/24 domestic season.

Here's how things are currently shaping up for the Three Lions heading into the business end of proceedings.

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On standby

England's strength in depth is pretty good in most areas of the pitch, meaning some notable Premier League performers may not even get a sniff of getting into the squad.

There was a swell of support for West Ham's James Ward-Prowse on social media once upon time, but he's been unable to force his way into the reckoning even though England had already qualified by the time they played Malta and North Macedonia.

Likewise, Ben White has admirers for his ability at both centre-back and right-back - with his Arsenal showings particularly impressive - but he doesn't appear to be in the thinking at present.

James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa, Tyrick Mitchell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Anthony Gordon are five other players who could stake a claim if they continue to excel at club level, but they will need to turn it on and hope the form of others falls by the wayside.

Mason Mount, meanwhile, has had a torrid time at Manchester United because of injury and has plenty to prove to have a hope of heading to Germany, with Callum Wilson's chances slim because of fitness concerns.

Jadon Sancho caught the eye during the Champions League semi-finals and the news of additional spots will be music to his ears after a tough stint at Old Trafford came to an end with a loan return to Borussia Dortmund.

Eddie Nketiah only made his England debut late last year but might benefit from the increased squad size, even though he's barely featured for Arsenal during recent months. Ben Godfrey hasn't played for the Three Lions since the warm-up friendlies for Euro 2024 - failing to make the final cut for that tournament - but his recent performances for Everton might have caught Southgate's eye.

At the airport hotel

Southgate has been accused of having his 'favourites' in the past, with selections often at odds with the core principle of needing to play regular club football.

That line of thinking has certainly cost Fikayo Tomori an England spot in squads gone by, and he could again be left waiting at the hotel for others to pick up injury niggles. Joining him could be a newcomer to the international scene, Eberechi Eze, as well as breakthrough Manchester United talent Kobbie Mainoo, who made his international debut against Brazil in March.

Ivan Toney can't be discounted despite his lengthy ban from football, but knows that he must have an instant impact and help Brentford stay clear of relegation, and Dominic Solanke is banging on the door after racking up the goals at Bournemouth. Jarrod Bowen, who earned a call-up for the November qualifiers after his red-hot start to the 2023/24 campaign, is another surely on the radar - his issue is sheer competition for places.

Jarrad Branthwaite also falls into the waiting game category after impressing greatly at Everton, while Nick Pope looks on with envy in the goalkeeping ranks.

Waiting at the gate

If Trent Alexander-Arnold hadn't shifted into midfield, it's unlikely he'd have been getting any kind of gig in an England shirt.

But now that he has transitioned into a deep-lying playmaker role, Southgate arguably has a bigger headache when it comes to balancing out his squad. Reece James, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez and Ben Chilwell will feel they've got good claims for filling out England's defensive options, with Luke Shaw's long-term injury meaning he's no longer a shoo-in pick.

Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips may tussle for a central midfield berth but, again, much will depend on the balance Southgate wants - he's known to be pragmatic and more defensive-minded when it comes to tournament football - and the waiting room at the airport gate could be filled with nervous players.

Marcus Rashford may be there too alongside Raheem Sterling, who surely can't be discounted from making the cut if he finishes the season well at Chelsea, and they are likely to be cosying up to Cole Palmer - a real standout performer during 2023/24.

Ready to board

With 26 places up for grabs, it'll be interesting to see how many defenders, midfielders and forwards Southgate opts to take.

The role of centre-back understudy is currently looking good for Marc Guehi, despite a recent injury, and the same can be said in the goalkeeper stakes for Aaron Ramsdale despite his lack of game time with Arsenal. Sam Johnstone was looking for secure to go as Jordan Pickford's understudy, but he's been ruled out of the tournament after having elbow surgery.

Jordan Henderson still looks to be in Southgate's thinking, particularly now he's abandoned his Saudi ship in favour of a jaunt in Amsterdam, and James Maddison would be desperately unlucky to be overlooked after showing some impressive form at Spurs. Trent Alexander-Arnold will surely make the cut as well, potentially as a specialist midfielder.

Jack Grealish will feel good about himself too, though he'll be mindful of his minutes dwindling at Manchester City because of injury and poor form.

Flying business class

There's always a core of around eight or nine players absolutely nailed on to go to any major international tournament (as long as they're fit) and things are no different for England.

Captain Harry Kane, who has enjoyed a goal-lade debut season with Bayern Munich, check.

Two of the world's best central midfielders, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, check.

The tried and tested defensive unit of Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and John Stones and Kieran Trippier, check.

Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, two young attacking stars who could reach the very top of the game, check, and goal-machine Ollie Watkins, check.

With 11 dead certs, Southgate must now decide the other 15 players he'll task with trying to end England men's 58 years of hurt. With arguably the most gifted generation of Three Lions players ever at his disposal, the former defender will be desperate to take the step no coach has managed since Alf Ramsey.

READ MORE ON ENGLAND'S SQUAD OPTIONS AHEAD OF EURO 2024