Euro 2020 is fast approaching on the horizon and England manager Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make.
After a glorious 2018 World Cup, the Three Lions are no longer the brave underdogs, they are brimming with talent and great things are expected in a nation eager for an exhilarating summer.
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Southgate’s England will be among the favorites in the delayed Euro 2020
Three years ago in Russia, England fans fell in love again with a team that had caused so much frustration and anguish.
Captain Harry Kane is now one of the best center forwards the world has to offer, building on his 2018 Golden Shoe with both Tottenham and his nation.
Across the team, a number of superstars have also emerged to push aside the heroes of three years ago, with Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish among them.
But who are the nailed stars, who are clinging to their place, and who are struggling to prove they deserve to wear the Three Lions with pride in June and hopefully July?
Michael Owen says England’s ‘golden generation’ was hampered by playing the wrong system and talks about Gareth Southgate’s chances at Euro 2020 Goalkeepers
It’s a huge two weeks for England’s backup blockers.
We have three games without current No.1 Jordan Pickford, so one of Dean Henderson, Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone could emerge as the confirmed No.2 and also the Everton star’s main rival.
Mistakes in the Premier League have taken a toll on the 30-cap ace’s reputation. Pickford, but Southgate continues to back his main man as mistakes don’t happen on the international stage, plus he’s probably still in debt after Colombia’s penalty shootout.
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Pickford’s have made mistakes with Everton but are trusted with international service with England
If we take a look at some statistics from the Premier League, it is Pope who comes out on top of this gang of four.
He has kept the most clean sheets this season with nine, while Pickford (6) and Sam Johnstone (5) are behind, but it should be noted that Henderson has a higher percentage of shutouts, with four in just six games of league for Manchester United.
Looking at things with a slightly more advanced metric, Pope is also coming out on top.
Using the expected goals metric after the shot, Burnley’s ace has only conceded 32 goals despite data suggesting he could have missed 37.1, which is better than his rivals.
But Southgate has to take into account the style of play he is using and the way he defends his team, with Pope aided by Burnley’s defensive strength, while Pickford’s excellent distribution is a huge advantage.
Selección de talkSPORT: Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson
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The Pope hopes to represent England at the Euro and has a great chance to stake his claim this week Defenders
This is the most established area of the Southgate team, but the revival of John Stones this season has changed things a bit.
On the right back, only Reece James has entered to rival Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, but Walker is also being used by the right in a back-three on international service, but the decision not to call Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Trent Alexander-Arnold has surprised many.
Atletico Madrid ace Trippier, with his experience and dead-ball delivery, appears to be the man keeping Alexander-Arnold out, while Wan-Bissaka may be considered not good enough in the final third for soccer. tournaments, despite being the best defender of all. .
The decision to leave Alexander-Arnold out has shocked many
The left-back is another intriguing area with Luke Shaw in exceptional form and Ben Chilwell is doing well for Chelsea as well, and can play as a winger as well.
However, the duo have not completed the full 90 minutes of an England match since 2015 and 2019, respectively. But these days they are the best options for the job, while Matt Targett is someone who should at least be in the conversation.
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Shaw has been excellent for Man United this season and deserves to be in the England squad
When it comes to central defender, eyebrows were once again raised at Eric Dier’s offside, chosen ahead of Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk and James Tarkowski.
All three are having better seasons than Dier, who was now eliminated by José Mourinho at Tottenham and was a member of the team that crashed in the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb.
But the core of Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady looks smart, offering aerial skill and decent ball skills on deck, while the latter is perfect for snapping into a back-three and acting as a deep playmaker.
This leaves the Three Lions adaptable to their opponents and dangerous when attacking from set pieces.
Selección de talkSPORT: Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Reece James, Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings y Conor Coady
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Maguire has had some ups and downs this season, but overall he’s been consistent for United Midfielders
Unlike defense, Southgate’s midfield will be totally different with Jordan Henderson as a possible injury concern, Dier is now a defender and Dele Alli will not be with the Spurs.
In qualifying for the tournament, Rice has secured her place on the wing. Chelsea’s Mount is also a clear favorite under Southgate, while Kalvin Phillips is defiant, along with James Ward-Prowse and Phil Foden. Jesse Lingard is certainly pushing a lot for a late inclusion given his recent resurgence as well.
Jude Bellingham’s precocious talents have been clearly noted, while Grealish and James Maddison are currently absent due to injury.
Henderson, if he’s in shape, should automatically be selected given his role as the leader in the ranks, not to mention his skills and versatility when it comes to midfield duties.
In a major tournament, you’ll need to create chances, and three of the best in the division right now are Grealish, Mount, and Maddison.
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Rice and Mount are regular starters under England’s Southgate at the moment
The former creates 6.1 shots for every 90 in the Premier League, while Mount (4.96) and Maddison (4.53) are not far behind, but Foden only creates 3.56, however when it comes to creating goals, it is Grealish and Foden who They are the key players with Villa’s man the best in the Premier League.
The former makes 0.91 goal-creating actions for 90, while the ace of the city Foden (0.81) is not far behind, with Maddison (0.61) and Mount (0.4) behind, but the latter can be forgiven for his high rate. work and waste of Chelsea Forwards.
Lingard certainly has a chance of being cast as well, but given the small size of the show and the fact that his return to the scene has been so recent, he is best left at home for now.
Selección de talkSPORT: Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Mason Mount
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Grealish has been in excellent shape for his club and his national team this season. Forwards
It would just be an injury that would keep England captain Kane out of the team. Your place and beginning is assured.
Raheem Sterling hasn’t had a crop year in terms of goals or assists, but his quality is undoubted and he remains key for Southgate, even as just a squad player, while Marcus Rashford is also a shoo-in.
This doesn’t leave much room on the 23-man squad, especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin also looking likely to be Kane’s understudy at the top.
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Kane will be England’s captain at Euro 2020
That means just two more spaces with Jadon Sancho only missing out on this current group due to injury, he’s a great contender, along with Bukayo Saka, who is now a regular right wing for improving Arsenal.
Ollie Watkins deservedly has his chance to impress in the next three games, and he also brings versatility after playing wide and down the middle, but he could struggle to break into at 23 at this late stage.
TalkSPORT selection: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bukayo Saka
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Saka has become indispensable for Arsenal and could now star in England
You can listen to England’s qualifiers for the World Cup with San Marino (Thursday) and Albania (Sunday) live on talkSPORT
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