UEFA Euro 2024 is slowly creeping up on us, which means England will also have to announce their squad in due time.
Gareth Southgate has arguably his hardest selection yet as manager of England. The Three Lions have a plethora of talented names who all deserve to be in with a shout for selection in Germany.
However, this year is going to be even harder for players to be selected. Squad sizes for Euro 2024 will be reduced back to 23 after they were increased to 26 for Euro 2020 and the World Cup 2022 to account for the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
With this, there are some worthy players, who will likely miss out. Here are three players we think should be on the plane, but probably won’t.
- READ MORE: When will Gareth Southgate announce his Euro 2024 England squad? Predicted dates, squad size
Jarrod Bowen
Despite being called up to the squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium – we believe there’ll be no place on that flight to Germany for Jarrod Bowen.
The West Ham United winger has been electric once again this season and has been one of the saving graces in what has been a rather lacklustre 23/24 campaign for David Moyes‘ side.
He has 14 goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, without even mentioning his contributions in Europe.
However, with Bukayo Saka and the further emergence of the astounding Cole Palmer, it’s going to be tough for Bowen to grab a place. Any season prior, he’d be on board – but sadly, we think he missed out this summer.
Kobbie Mainoo
What a serious talent England and Manchester United have on their hands with Kobbie Mainoo.
The Red Devils midfielder emerged fully this season into United’s first-team squad and has been dazzling Old Trafford ever since. At just 18 years old, he’s solidified himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for Erik ten Hag – which has caused Southgate to take note.
Despite having been called up for the senior squad for the most recent friendlies, we still have a sneaky suspicion Mainoo won’t head to the tournament. We could be wrong, but a lot depends on how he performs against Belgium and Brazil.
Dominic Solanke
Not many players can score 15 goals for a Premier League side and still not be in consideration for an England side.
Dominic Solanke has been sensational for Bournemouth this season and should be in the conversation for Germany.
Solanke provides something tremendously different to most other English strikers, however, due to Southgate’s unfamiliarity with him, and no England experience – we don’t think he’ll get a sniff.
All of Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are likely ahead of him in the pecking order – meaning he’ll likely be staying ut this summer.
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