Over the half the season gone now and only 5 months till the Euros, I'd suspect Southgate has a strongish idea of who makes the squad.
Obviously there are still a few places up in the air depending on how the season goes, but who are you taking right now if you're Southgate? Remember - we're back down to 23 man squads now after the relaxation of those rules during Covid.
For me:
GKs:
Pickford
Ramsdale
Pope (if fit)
Defenders:
Walker
Trent
Stones
Dunk
Maguire
Branthwaite
Shaw
Trippier
Midfield:
Rice
Gallagher
Jones
Mainoo
Foden
Bellingham
Forwards:
Bowen
Saka
Watkins
Kane
Grealish
Sterling
To explain a few of the more controversial selections there:
First of all, Mainoo. Maybe some United bias creeping in - it would be a risk and I get the argument that he hasn't played enough, but I genuinely feel he has a skillset lacking in any other English midfielder. I suspect in reality Southgate won't take the gamble and even if he did, I think United would try and stop it - both of which are fair. But if I'm Southgate, I'm seriously considering it right now.
Maddison - tough to leave out, would definitely be the next man if we still had squads of 26. But, presuming we stick with the 4-2-3-1 kind of set up, I just don't think there's a need for another specialist 10 with Foden and Bellingham there as more advanced midfielders. I don't think he'll get many minutes and you're better served using that squad space for a deeper midfielder. Gone with Jones and Gallagher (and Mainoo of course) but I think Longstaff, JWP and even Lewis Miley could all have a shout. I just sincerely hope we've moved on from Phillips and Henderson, neither of whom he can surely justify giving a place to.
Cole Palmer. Toss a coin between him and Bowen. Gone with Bowen just as I think he offers a more direct alternative to Saka, but wouldn't mind either.
Rashford. Still has time to turn it around and his season is showing signs of recovery. But both Sterling and Gordon look like better options right now. I think Southgate takes him regardless though. I would say Grealish's position in the squad also shouldn't be assured though - that left wing spot is really up for grabs with no real outstanding candidate at the moment.
In defence, I'm really impressed by what I've seen of Branthwaite. Think he's going to be a top defender. No idea how Tomori is getting on at Milan but could be an option. Chilwell would also be there over Trippier if he could keep himself fit, which he can't it looks like.
Euro 24 squad: As it stands
posted on 16/1/24
I'm very invested in Mainoo's future but agree with the consensus that Euro 24 comes along a bit too early for him. I don't think he needs international duty at this point and I can't see the very conservative Southgate promoting someone to the midfield based on such a small body of work even if he keeps getting better and better until the end of the season. Even Bellingham took quite a while to become a regular pick, when he was already playing at a high level as a key player in the Dortmund side.
posted on 16/1/24
Don't think Mainoo will go, even if he has a great second half of the season. Southgate doesn't take risks and likes players who he has worked with and has played together for a while. He also has his favorites and will think Mainoo has plenty of time to go to future tournaments, where as Henderson only has 1 left. He'll take Hendo if fit.
posted on 16/1/24
Mainoo would be best served breaking into the u21s at this stage. He’s uncapped at that level and faces competition from players that have had quite a lot of Championship experience, so he’s got to overcome that hurdle first before getting near the seniors.
posted on 16/1/24
we know itll be full of southgates faves, prob see hendo in there with phillips maguire trippier etc. Definitely has his favourites and if hes not a fan doesnt matter what form you are in really.
posted on 16/1/24
People leaving out Bowen cause they dont expect Southgate to take him or?
posted on 16/1/24
The problem isn't the squad. It's the best we've had in a generation and it'd be a bigger travesty than 'The Golden Generation' failure.
Our problem is Safegate. Utter dullard of a manager will just pick his favourites for the squad regardless of form or if they've even played (Phillips/Mount) and then start his favourites. He's never gonna change his philosophy and let them lose to really play.
It's the only reason we'll come up short again in the moment. Only France on paper can rival us but they've got a manager that knows how to win.
Safegate is a loser.
posted on 16/1/24
comment by InBefore (U20589)
posted 24 minutes ago
People leaving out Bowen cause they dont expect Southgate to take him or?
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No need for Bowen with Saka and Foden.
posted on 16/1/24
Don't think Mainoo will go
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Should hope not. Bloke has done very little in the grand scheme of things. Way too early
posted on 16/1/24
Phillips will go in midfield if he leaves City or not.
posted on 17/1/24
Palmer has to be in there on current form in m opinion.
Better form than Sterling, Grealish, Saka and Foden.