Mainoo in, Henderson & Rashford out: GOAL's England Euro squad

Kobbie Mainoo earns a spot, while Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish are left out of the selection.

With Gareth Southgate nearing the announcement of his 23-man squad for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, GOAL has offered suggestions to guide his decision-making process.
The journey to Euro 2024 is nearing its end for England.

The upcoming friendlies before the tournament will likely be the last opportunity for players to make their case for inclusion. As a result, Gareth Southgate likely has a clear idea of which 23 players he will choose for the summer competition.

Nine GOAL writers and editors, including Stephen Darwin, Krishan Davis, Mark Doyle, Richard Martin, Tom Maston, Matt O'Connor-Simpson, Amee Ruszkai, Joe Strange, and James Westwood, have been deliberating over their ideal England Euro 2024 squads in recent days.

Each contributor has independently compiled a list of 23 players they would select to represent England in Germany, along with their preferred lineup for England's opening match against Serbia on June 16, if they were in Gareth Southgate's position.

I have compiled the results to create the ideal England Euro 2024 squad - but is it accurate? Take a look at the selections below, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section at the end of the page.

Goalkeepers

Jordan Pickford may face criticism at times, but his performances for England in major tournaments have generally been reliable. Therefore, it's unsurprising that all nine voters included him in their Euro 2024 squads.

The competition for the backup goalkeeper positions was more heated, with two players who have had limited playing time in recent months ultimately selected. Despite Aaron Ramsdale's demotion by Arsenal, he received five votes, indicating that his standing among the voters remains strong. Additionally, Nick Pope, who has been sidelined since December with a shoulder injury, earned four votes. With his expected return in April, he has a chance to prove his fitness to Southgate before the Euros.

Full-backs

Picks for the full-back positions include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier, and Kyle Walker.

Although Gareth Southgate has a plethora of full-back options at his disposal, there are uncertainties surrounding many of them due to concerns over fitness and form.
Despite injury worries, all nine GOAL voters selected Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, and Trent Alexander-Arnold as right-back options. Luke Shaw, despite injury concerns, made the cut with five votes, indicating confidence in his potential involvement. Ben Chilwell received six votes, possibly benefiting from Shaw's potential absence.

Versatility is a key factor, with Trippier and Alexander-Arnold having demonstrated adaptability in different positions. Additionally, Walker and Shaw are capable of playing as part of a back-three if needed, highlighting the importance of versatility in tournament squads.

Centre-backs

Picks for the center-back positions include Jarrad Branthwaite, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire, and John Stones.

Despite ongoing debates about Harry Maguire's place in the England squad, he secured a spot with six votes. John Stones received the maximum nine votes, indicating a strong consensus among the panel. Uncapped Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite also earned a place in the squad, showcasing the confidence of the five voters who selected him despite his lack of international experience.

Versatility played a crucial role in the selection of Joe Gomez, who has demonstrated adaptability by excelling in various defensive roles for Liverpool this season. His inclusion highlights the value of players who can perform effectively in multiple positions, adding depth and flexibility to the squad.

Midfielders

Midfield selection comprises Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, James Maddison, Kobbie Mainoo, and Declan Rice.

Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice received unanimous support from the panel, reflecting their status as top-tier midfield talents. James Maddison's inclusion in every squad highlights his consistent presence in the England setup since the 2022 World Cup and his strong performances for Tottenham.

A notable addition to the squad is Kobbie Mainoo, who earned votes from all nine panelists despite his recent debut senior call-up for Manchester United. Mainoo's impressive displays for United, coupled with his performances against Brazil and Belgium, convinced the panel of his merit for inclusion.

Completing the midfield group is Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, recognized for his consistent contributions throughout the season with six votes.

Wingers

Forward selection consists of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Bukayo Saka.
Bukayo Saka's consistent performances since his breakthrough at Euro 2020 earned him unanimous support from all panelists, highlighting his importance to the England squad.

Similarly, Phil Foden's stellar season at Manchester City solidified his place in the squad, with all voters selecting him as well.

Joining them is Cole Palmer, another City academy product, who impressed throughout his debut campaign for Chelsea and was chosen by all but one panelist for inclusion in the squad.

Strikers

GOAL's forward selection for the England Euro 2024 squad comprises Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, and Ollie Watkins.

Harry Kane's inclusion was unanimous, reflecting his exceptional form leading up to the tournament. Joining him are Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, both of whom received strong support from the panelists for their goal-scoring prowess and contributions to their respective clubs.

Notable absentees

Among the players who received votes but didn't make it into GOAL's ideal squad, notable names include Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish. Henderson's move to the Saudi Pro League and subsequent performances failed to impress, while Rashford and Grealish have seen declines in form compared to previous seasons.

Other players who missed out include Jarrod Bowen, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Ross Barkley, Jack Butland, Levi Colwill, Fikayo Tomori, James Trafford, Anthony Gordon, Sam Johnstone, and Curtis Jones.

Starting XI vs Serbia

If all players are fit, then it's widely believed that eight positions in England's starting lineup for their opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia are almost guaranteed. These positions were unanimously filled by Pickford, Walker, Stones, Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, and Foden among our writers. The remaining three spots—left-back, the second centre-back, and third central midfielder—were up for contention.

Ultimately, Shaw secured the left-back position with unanimous support from the five voters who included him in their squad and lineup. Maguire also claimed the centre-back role with five votes, narrowly edging out competition from Branthwaite.

In midfield, the choice boiled down to Mainoo and Alexander-Arnold. Despite Mainoo's proficiency in the midfield role, Alexander-Arnold, the adventurous Liverpool full-back, clinched the spot with five votes.

While selection closely mirrors Southgate's potential lineup, the final decision rests with the England manager, who faces challenging choices leading up to the tournament in June.

XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden.