Last chance for England hopefuls to impress

Author: BBC Sport

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England squad for Brazil & Belgium: Last chance to impress before Euro 2024 – BBC Sport

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Last updated on 13 March 202413 March 2024.From the section England

England take on Brazil and Belgium at Wembley this month in the last fixtures before manager Gareth Southgate names his squad for Euro 2024.

The squad size returns to 23 players for the tournament in Germany, down from 26 at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The squad has become pretty settled in recent years because of the success the team have had in major competitions combined with Southgate’s loyalty to his trusted core group.

That will make it increasingly tough for players to break into the final squad.

BBC Sport takes a look at the players who will be hoping for one last chance to impress when Southgate names his squad for the friendlies on Thursday at 14:00 GMT.

Cole Palmer

One of the standout performers for Chelsea this season. The 21-year-old has been involved in 19 goals (11 goals, eight assists) in the Premier League, with Mauricio Pochettino describing his style of play as similar to that of Argentine Angel di Maria.

Southgate was at Stamford Bridge when Palmer scored and assisted in the Blues’ win over Newcastle on Monday night, the fifth different league game this campaign in which Palmer has achieved that feat.

The 21-year-old forward was called into the senior squad during the last break and made his debut against Malta.

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Anthony Gordon

The Newcastle forward, 23, has 10 goals this season in all competitions and his intensity, pace and versatility could be a factor in his selection.

He was part of the England Under-21 side which won the European Championship last summer and was named player of the tournament while playing as a central striker.

In the last international break Southgate said that he was close to being included so it will be interesting to see if the England manager thinks he has done enough to get into his squad.

However, after coming off injured in the defeat by Chelsea, fitness may deny him his first call-up.

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Joe Gomez

The last time Gomez was involved in the England set-up was when he was injured in training in November 2020 and he last played for his country in a 3-0 win over Wales in October of that year.

He has fallen down the pecking order on the international stage because of the partnership of John Stones and Harry Maguire, plus the emergence of young talents such as Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill.

However, the 26-year-old is playing some of the best football of his career as Liverpool chase four trophies this season.

The Reds’ injury crisis means that Gomez has had to fill in at right-back, left-back and centre-back, and having one player who can cover all positions in the backline could be vital with a reduced number going to Germany.

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Jarrad Branthwaite

Jarrad Branthwaite is another player who won the European Championships in Georgia last summer with England U21s.

He was highlighted by those within the Football Association as a player who could progress quickly and be in with a chance of being in the senior international squad soon.

His form for Everton has been impressive, with only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool having conceded fewer goals than the Toffees this season.

His athleticism and the fact he is left-footed makes him a unique option but Colwill is probably ahead of him at the moment. But the Chelsea defender is injured and Branthwaite could be given a chance to show his talents.

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Ivan Toney

Toney has proved that he is a regular goalscorer in the Premier League since he was promoted to the division with Brentford.

That scoring record led to him making his debut for the Three Lions in March last year, but he was then banned for eight months for breaching the FA betting rules. Since returning, he has scored four goals in nine appearances for the Bees.

He is a different profile to the other strikers that Southgate has to pick from after Harry Kane.

His prowess in the air at set-pieces means he is useful in both boxes, plus his expertise at penalties could be crucial in tournament football.

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Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo has made a huge impression in only 14 Premier League games this season, becoming a crucial player for Manchester United.

His holding midfield role is one of the spots up for grabs in Southgate’s squad, with Jordan Henderson’s time in Saudi Arabia and move to Ajax putting his spot under review, plus Kalvin Phillips’ up-and-down start at West Ham.

The 18-year-old has represented England at U19 level and has been watched a number of times this season by Southgate.

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Ross Barkley

Barkley says he has “gone back in time” with how good his performances have been for Luton Town this season.

He has previous experience at international level and was part of the 2014 World Cup squad, making 33 appearances for his country so far, his last appearance coming in 2019.

He has played the most league minutes he has managed in a season for seven years and has said the Euros are in his mind and that he can add “something to the squad”.

Barkley has added an element of quality to Luton this season and it will be interesting to see if the England manager thinks that it is enough for him to have a look at the 30-year-old in this window.

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Honourable mentions

Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke could feel very harshly treated if he is not given an international recall as he is the joint second-highest English scorer in the Premier League alongside Jarrod Bowen. However, with captain Kane alongside Ollie Watkins, Toney and Bowen all pushing for a forward role, it may be hard for the striker to break through.

If Curtis Jones was fit there is a high chance that the midfielder could have been one of the picks for this window. His quality has shone in Liverpool’s midfield this season but injuries have come at the wrong time for him.

Bowen has five England caps and was in the last England squad in November. As mentioned, he has scored 14 Premier League goals playing in a central role this season for West Ham, but competition in the striker position is fierce and Southgate may opt for a more traditional number nine to supplement Kane.