Gareth Southgate says the situation in England is “more complex than in any other country” after the announcement of a temporary squad of 33 people for Euro 2020. The England manager will have to appoint a team of 26 people by June 1.
He said, “There are 12 more players to play right now, so we will always need extra players and we add that we have had some injuries at different stages, which we have very little knowledge about.”
“We felt that more time would help us make better decisions. Our priority was to have 26 names, but we do not have the ideal handful of books – too many unknowns. Information and evidence are very important and we will have more in the next seven days. ”
Southgate was asked about Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was left out of England’s previous squad in March, one of four right-backs. “You see four straight defenders, I see only four good footballers,” he said.
“Kieran Trippier can play on the left side. Alexander-Arnold can play in the side, I think he can play in midfield. I saw Reece James playing as a back and midfielder on the right. Those flexible players who can play different roles will be very important.”
Ahead of naming his final #EURO2020 squad next week, Gareth Southgate has selected 33 players to join up with the #ThreeLions from this weekend as our preparations for this summer's tournament get under way.
— England (@England) May 25, 2021
Kyle Walker can also play as a central defender. Ben White, Ben Godfrey, Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale have been named in the provisional squad, along with three teenagers – Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood.
“There are a lot of question marks today,” said Southgate. “It will become very clear. We have a good contingency at our disposal – a good balance with the young players. If they are with us for a week or five weeks, it will be a great experience. We are building towards a very interesting summer. We need to build a team that can win. “
33 players England Euro 2020 squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United, on loan from Manchester United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
