Gareth Southgate tells four England stars they’re likely to miss out on making the much anticipated Euros squad, reports say.
The Three Lions boss has revealed he has already started telling his players who’s in and who’s likely to not be picked as he already ‘knows’ his starting lineup for the first game of the tournament this summer.
Southgate has already started warning some of his fringe players they are set to miss the Euros, having a series of honest and up front face-to-face conversations lately.
He revealed he will carry on delivering some “difficult messages” over the next few weeks before he names his final 23-man squad next month.
Southgate said: “I’ve spoken to quite a few already this week and I will do over the next couple of weeks, so that they know exactly where they sit.
“I think that’s helpful. You’ve got to manage expectations and have some reality about what they might need to do between now and the end of the season.
“That of course is a difficult message, very difficult, and nobody looks forward to that.
“But it’s worse for those receiving it than it is for those giving it, so you’ve got to have that empathy with how the players are feeling.”
Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier, Tyrone Mings and the still injured Jordan Henderson are among the biggest names sweating on their places.
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Wednesday saw England produce a 2-1 win over Poland, a game which was a last chance to impress the boss before the 1st of June deadline for Southgate to name his squad.
England do play friendlies against Austria and Romania at the start of June with his Euros squad before opening their finals campaign against Croatia on the 13th.
Southgate only took five forwards with him to the World Cup in a squad which included a total of nine defenders, something he’s been criticised for, but he suggested it could be very different this time around, good news for the potential welcoming back of Jack Grealish.
The England boss said: “Heading into Russia we were very clear we were going to be 3-5-2 and were very clear we were going to pick the players to fit that system.
“We’re a bit more fluid and adaptable now. We have younger options – lots more exciting young players and we’ve got to find a way of getting them into the squad.”
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Dier didn’t play a single minute of England’s three World Cup qualifiers and has lost his place at Spurs, plus Southgate don’t want anymore than eight defenders. A pick up in form and Premier League game time is the only hope he has of keeping his place for England.
Trippier is another who failed to start any of the San Marino, Albania or Poland games, especially taking into account Walker’s ability to play as a right-back or on the right side of a back three.
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Alexander-Arnold was deemed a surprise omission from Southgate’s latest squad, the Liverpool right-back hasn’t had a good season and now faces an big task to get back in for the Euros.
His only chance will be to try to out-perform James and Trippier over the remaining weeks of the campaign.
Grealish is likely to be among those to benefit from Southgate’s stance of making the team more attacking. The Villa midfielder missed the World Cup qualifiers through injury, but it would seem that the manager has seen enough to let him keep his place once back and fit.
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There will be a decision over whether to have Kalvin Phillips and/or James Ward-Prowse if Henderson can’t return to fitness in time, however if the Liverpool captain recovers then it may well be that there is only space for one of Phillips, who started against San Marino, Albania and Poland, and Ward-Prowse.
Bukayo Saka can play in a variety of positions, including left wing-back, and comes in handy for Southgate. Though his inclusion would potentially mean going to the Euros with only seven dedicated defenders or dropping Sancho, a controversial move.
Calvert-Lewin scored twice against San Marino, but he will know that Ings will feature heavily in Southgate’s thinking if the Southampton player can remain fit for the rest of the season and get some more goals under his belt. It could end up being a straight end-of-season shoot-out between the two strikers.
James Maddison has enjoyed a fine season for Leicester, but, barring an injury crisis, it is hard to see how he can now force his way back into Southgate’s plans in time for the summer. Might be best to book your holiday now lad.
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Fans reacted as Gareth Southgate tells four England stars they’re likely to miss out on Euros squad…
@BenAFC: Lingard has had 4 good games in 2 years, makes total sense.
@ourweedrops: As a proud Englishmen i am ashamed to say i actually fell asleep watching the last 2 games. boring, pedestrian no flair, no initiative if that team is the best we have got i fear for us at least Jack gets things going foward quicker and will always win free kicks around the area
@gsbrn1: If Southgate can find an excuse to not pick grealish he will
@MrMikeDiskin: What was obvious from the Poland game is he needs Jack, other players are all very good but no one gives the magic he does to unlock a defence
@ClassyKonsa1: No Grealish no party
@Wintheleague21: Not fussed about Sancho, not sure what all the hype is about from watching him in England games. But Grealish has to be in the squad… I would have him in my starting XI!
@LeeJermyn: Imagine leaving Grealish out 😂
@SJ_Cole08: If Jesse Lingard gets in the England squad over Jack Grealish there will be riots across the country.
@MrWalters88: I don’t watch a second of England when it’s not a tournament but a million % can tell ya Grealish HAS to go man
@BillinghamMag: There is no way Lingard should go ahead of Grealish.
@tommyedge: Jack wins so many free kicks why would you not have him and ward-prowse on the pitch for every minute. Im convinced GS has a issue with being told Jack has to be in the team by most fans (excluding Leeds fans). He is without question England’s most talented player.
@HamdonMart: I’ll be gutted if he dosn’t take Grealish, Henry. As someone who doesn’t support a Premier League Club, Grealish & Foden are the two players that make me get off my seat when they’re playing. Both should start but neither will & one might not make the plane. Says it all really.
@GPDecorating: Grealish will have to finish the season so strongly to get into Southgates squad. You can tell he doesn’t really like him, maybe something from the u21 days or maybe because so many fans and pundits talk about him being something different. Only a poor manager wouldnt select him.
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