After delaying it for another week, Gareth Southgate has finally announced his squad for Euro 2020 and there are some big talking points!

Initially, Southgate was set to announce his squad for Euro 2020 on May 25th. However, with Man United, Man City and Chelsea all playing in European finals last week, it meant 12 players were at risky of injury. He announced a squad of 33, seven of which would be cut on June 1st.

This was going to be a very tough job, with all 33 players having a good case to be included in the final squad. Those who weren’t playing in finals last week with their clubs joined up with the manager for training and a chance to impress before final selection.

In England, it’s always a huge debate as to who should go to any international tournament. For a month before it, everyone turns into a football expert, when really they just want the players from their club to go! However, now is the time for the “experts” to stop talking and get behind England as they look to win their first-ever European Championships!

Talking Points

Trent Alexander-Arnold Goes!

It amazes us that this was ever in question. Trent was dropped from the previous squad for World Cup qualifiers due to a bad run of form. However, it felt as if this was only temporary and a bit of a nudge to get himself back in form. As time got closer though to the squad announcement, rumors were circulating that he was going to be the one out of the four right-backs to miss out.

This felt like an awful decision if it was true. On his day he is one of the best crossers in world football and when you have Harry Kane to cross to, it seems a no-brainer that he should be going. Many do question his defensive abilities, and given that four right-backs have gone, could we see England go back to a back three, with Walker as one of the center-backs again and Trent used a wing-back? Whatever Southgate chooses to do, we don’t know, but we’re just thankful that the Liverpool fullback is going!

Mason Greenwood Pulls Out

It wasn’t announced as to whether he would have made the final 26 anyway, but Greenwood pulled out of the England squad yesterday morning with injury. He had ended the season well, with seven goals in his last 11 games. After Harry Kane, England lacked a real finisher in the squad and Greenwood could have been that man.

Saka has been included in the squad which was a surprise to most. this is probably down to Greenwood not going and Saka being able to play a number of positions, including the right on midfield when Greenwood has played the majority of the season.

Southgate Takes Injury Gamble

There have been question marks around the fitness of both Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire. Henderson picked up an injury in February to his groin that required surgery and he hasn’t featured for Liverpool. He made the bench recently for them on the last game of the season so should be back to full fitness for this summer. However, he brings a lot to the team off the pitch and is one of the only players in the squad to have won trophies recently.

Maguire has an ankle ligament injury that he picked up towards the end of the season against Aston Villa. It ruled him out of the Europa League final and it is still touch and go as to whether he’ll be fit enough for the start of the Euros. He is crucial to Southgates starting lineup, as, without him, England probably plays a back five instead of a back four.

Six Miss Out

With Greenwood withdrawing himself from the squad, it meant that six players in total would miss out. They were Ramsdale, Godfrey, White, Ward-Prowse, Lingard and Watkins. Lingard was the biggest name to miss out from the squad, given how well he has performed since his loan move to West Ham. He has nine goals in just 16 games, only Harry Kane has scored more in the same time frame.