Gareth Southgate will have to take major gambles to strike the right balance in his Euros squad.
For the past two major tournaments, Southgate has had the luxury of being able to name 26 players which gave him the luxury of an extra attacker and defender. But now Southgate may have to take seven defenders to Germany next summer to be able to squeeze in extra players elsewhere.
That is why the versatility of Levi Colwill - who can operate at centre back and left back - could be crucial plus also Trent Alexander-Arnold now being seen as more of a midfielder than a right back. Jordan Henderson will be sweating on his place because of the standard of the Saudi Pro League but, with no regular football, Kalvin Phillips is in real danger unless he moves in January.
West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse has been unlucky in the past and is another obvious strong candidate plus teenager Rico Lewis who can play in different positions. James Maddison and Cole Palmer are attack-minded players but if England want to release the handbrake then they will be in with the midfielders.
Harry Kane is nailed-on of course. And if Ivan Toney regains his form after his return from his betting ban then he should be confident of winning the back-up role ahead of Ollie Watkins or Callum Wilson.
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Phil Foden has been England’s best player in their last two matches with Malta and North Macedonia - that is not saying much, mind you - but he is putting himself in pole position to fill the gap on the left of attack. Bukayo Saka is England’s back-to-back Player of the Year and, if fit, is racing favourite to start every game on the right.
Goalkeepers (3)
Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnstone, Aaron Ramsdale.
Defenders (7)
Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill, Luke Shaw.
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Midfielders (7)
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Cole Palmer.
Forwards (6)
Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden.
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