With Gareth Southgate’s side now setting their sights on glory in Germany, GOAL looks at the players fighting for a key role in the squad

It’s official: England have a plane to the Euro 2024 finals in Germany booked for next summer. The Three Lions shook off the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final exit to finish top of what initially looked a tricky Group C – with an unbeaten record from their eight qualifying games.

Gareth Southgate, who guided England to fourth place at the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 final, took the decision to extend his contract after falling short in Qatar in 2022. He still believes he can deliver his country’s first major title since 1966, but the jury is out over whether he is ruthless enough to get them over the line.

The England boss tends to stick with his favourites, as the likes of Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson continue to earn regular minutes despite their inconsistency at club level. That is unlikely to change, but competition for places will only ramp up heading into next year’s European Championship in Germany.

New heroes have already emerged in the form of Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, while players such as Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish are now in the prime years of their careers.

GOAL is here to track the progress of the latest England generation tasked with bringing football back to its spiritual home – all the way through to the Euro 2024 finals.

• Getty1Harry Kane ↔️England’s all-time record goalscorer is only getting better with age. The 30-year-old finally left Tottenham in the summer to join Bayern Munich, and has scored a staggering 17 goals goals in his first 11 Bundesliga appearances for the German champions.

  Kane also continues to deliver for England, with his brace inspiring a 3-1 win over Italy that sealed his country’s spot at Euro 2024. He went on to score his 62nd international goal in a home victory over Malta, and is so far proving to be the perfect captain for the Three Lions.

  Southgate’s side have a great chance of going all the way in Germany with Kane on the pitch. He really is that good, and he’s motivated by a desire to finally add some major silverware to his CV.

• Getty2Jude Bellingham ↔️After months of speculation, Real Madrid finally confirmed the €103 million capture of Bellingham on June 14, bringing to an end his hugely impressive three-year spell at Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old’s arrival at Santiago Bernabeu is only good news for England, as the former Birmingham City starlet is surely now in the best place to unlock his full potential and make a claim to inherit the captain’s armband from Kane in the future.

  Unsurprisingly, Bellingham has hit the ground running at Madrid – scoring 13 goals in his first 14 games in all competitions. An untimely shoulder injury suffered recently halted his momentum, but there is no doubt he is the best midfielder in Europe right now.

  Bellingham proved as much in his last outing for England against Italy as he won a penalty and produced one of the assists of the year so far. It’s not too early to start talking about him as a potential Ballon d’Or winner.

• Getty3Bukayo Saka ↔️Saka may have suffered Premier League heartbreak with Arsenal last season, but there’s no doubt that he is now one of the best wingers on the planet. The 22-year-old has lived up to that billing again for the Gunners at the start of the 2023-24 campaign, recording six goals and eight assists in 17 appearances.

  A hamstring issue forced Saka to pull out of England’s October camp as questions were raised over Arsenal’s failure to grant their star man adequate rest. He returned with an assist against Malta, though, and will surely be one of the first names on Southgate’s Euros teamsheet if he can avoid further fitness woes.

• Getty4Declan Rice ↔️Rice became the most expensive British player of all-time when completing a long-awaited £105-million ($131m) switch to Arsenal from West Ham in the summer window, and already looks right at home at Emirates Stadium.

  The 24-year-old has been ever-present for Mikel Arteta’s side in 2023-24 so far, and scored a decisive late goal in their dramatic home win against Manchester United to remind everyone of his underappreciated instincts in and around the penalty area.

  Southgate always tends to start Rice at the base of midfield in England’s most important games and he’s yet to let his manager down. The Arsenal man will only get better as he approaches his peak years, which could yet be filled with silverware at both club and international level.

• Getty5Kyle Walker ↔️Walker is now one of the most experienced members of the England squad with 80 caps to his name, and boasts more energy and skill at 33 than most full-backs do in their early twenties. The Manchester City treble-winner, who snubbed a summer move to Bayern, made six appearances in England’s latest European Championship qualifying campaign, and also chipped in with two goal contributions.

  Southgate is blessed with depth in the right-back position, but Walker is unquestionably the number one pick, and deservedly so. England’s Mr. Reliable may just go down as a legend if he can maintain his incredible consistency.

• Getty6Marcus Rashford ↔️Rashford’s redemption was one of the feel-good stories of the 2022-23 season, as he bounced back from the worst year of his career to score 30 goals for Manchester United across all competitions, getting his hands on a second Carabao Cup winners’ medal in the process. Next to Kane, Rashford is the Three Lions’ biggest scoring threat and will be desperate to make a lasting mark on the international stage when the Euros finally roll around.

  United supporters have witnessed another serious decline in form from Rashford this season, but he is still doing enough to justify his selection in the England squad. He scored a vital goal against Italy and got into some great positions against Malta. He just needs to rediscover a bit of lost confidence to get back to his scintillating best.

• Getty7Phil Foden ⬆️It’s easy to forget that Foden is still just 23 years old. It feels like the Manchester City midfielder has been around forever, as reflected by his record of 235 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side and 30 outings in an England shirt.

  There are very few better players to watch in full flow in English football, despite the fact he is constantly rotated in and out of City’s starting XI. Foden is not yet a guaranteed starter for the Three Lions either, but time is on his side.

  The diminutive City playmaker has looked like man possessed for club and country so far this term, with his latest magical display coming against Malta.

• Getty8Harry Maguire ⬆️Maguire has been a fixture in Southgate’s line-up throughout his reign, even when seeing his playing time cut significantly at Manchester United. The England boss has been vindicated for his faith in Maguire in the early months of the 2023-24 campaign, as the towering centre-back has worked his way back into Erik ten Hag’s team at Old Trafford.

  Being relived of the United captaincy seems to have given Maguire a new lease of life, and it’s highly likely he will have a crucial role to play once again when England resume their long quest for a major trophy at Euro 2024.

• Getty9John Stones ⬇️Stones is now one of the more senior members of the England squad, and his cool head and experience in the biggest matches make him untouchable when firing on all cylinders.

  Niggling injuries have hindered the Manchester City centre-half in recent months, though, and he was subbed after just 60 minutes in the qualifier against Italy. He was then forced to sit out the November international camp with a muscular problem, and could be facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

  To reach their maximum, England need a fully-fit Stones, who is quite simply one of the most composed and effortlessly brilliant defenders in the business. Supporters will hope to see him back driving the team out of defence like a Rolls Royce next year, which will ensure that Southgate’s men will be primed for success in Germany.

• Getty10Trent Alexander-Arnold ⬇️Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the best attacking full-backs of his generation, and can conjure up an assist from anywhere on the pitch with his wand of a right foot, but he’s a liability going the other way. Walker and Kieran Trippier are both ahead of Alexander-Arnold in Southgate’s playbook, and rightly so.

  But the England boss found a new role in midfield for the Liverpool star in recent international windows, which has allowed him to show off his best qualities. A starting berth at Euro 2024 might be unlikely, but Alexander-Arnold could be a gamechanger for England as the tournament progresses, and deserves great credit for working so hard to revive his international fortunes.

• Getty11Luke Shaw ⬇️Shaw enjoyed arguably his best season yet for United in 2022-23, putting his past struggles for consistency and fitness firmly in the rear-view mirror. United’s revival was underpinned by a huge improvement at the back, with Shaw impressing in both his usual role on the left and in the centre of defence en route to success in the Carabao Cup and progression to the latter stages of both the Europa League and FA Cup.

  Shaw has largely transferred that form onto the international stage, making the left-back slot in Southgate’s starting XI his own. The 27-year-old is now one of England’s most important players, which is a testament to how hard he has worked on his game in recent years.

  Unfortunately, United and England have been missing Shaw since August due to a muscle injury. It will be vital for his recovery to be managed carefully so that the Three Lions have him back in top shape for the Euros.

• Getty12Jordan Pickford ⬇️Next up is England’s No.1 shot-stopper, the lionhearted Jordan Pickford, who is now up to 57 caps at international level. The Everton keeper can be prone to the occasional error for his club, but is almost always faultless for the Three Lions.

  Pickford is, however, facing yet another relegation battle with Everton this season, and there are plenty of other talented keepers now eyeing his spot between the sticks for England.

• Getty13Kieran Trippier ⬇️Trippier is one of the most dependable players in Southgate’s ranks, and has been throughout his six-year tenure. The Newcastle star, who has played a key role in the club’s return to the Champions League, will likely be Walker’s main competition for a right-back berth at the next European Championship.

  The England boss knows exactly what he will get from Trippier every time he takes to the pitch, and he remains a big threat from set-pieces due to his technical ability.

• Getty14Jack Grealish ↔️Manchester City saw the best of Grealish on a more consistent basis in 2022-23, and he let his hair down in style after playing a key role in their historic campaign. However, Grealish missed England’s October fixtures due to injury, and was an unused substitute against Malta. There is certainly no doubt that he has enough talent to be the ultimate difference-maker for his country, but Southgate still doesn’t seem to trust him for full 90-minute matches against the best teams.

  It will be a real challenge for Grealish to deliver on his full potential for the Three Lions and inspire their push for a first trophy since 1966. No other country in the world has a player quite like him, but it remains to be seen whether Southgate will unleash him when it really matters.

• Getty15Kalvin Phillips ⬆️Rice and Phillips were England’s dream duo at Euro 2020 as they forged a telepathic relationship in the middle of the park that carried the team all the way through to the final. A year later, Phillips was snapped up from Leeds by Man City, but his maiden season at the Etihad Stadium was a huge disappointment.

  The 27-year-old did pick up Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup winners’ medals, but only four of his 21 appearances came as a starter as he struggled to make his way back from a serious shoulder injury, and he is already being linked with a permanent transfer away from City.

  Phillips continues to be picked by Southgate, though, and helps England dominate possession with his brilliant passing range. He started in the Three Lions’ away win at Scotland and in their qualification decider against Italy, which suggests he will continue to be favoured at the Euros in spite of his uncertain future at club level.

• Getty16Marc Guehi ⬆️Southgate has often toiled to find a reliable back-up option when Maguire or Stones are absent – but Guehi has put himself at the top of the list with his performances for Crystal Palace in 2023. The 23-year-old helped England go up a level after coming on as a substitute against Italy, and set up a goal for Kane, before also turning in a strong performance as a starter against Malta.

  Guehi’s mature, composed displays set him apart from peers in his age bracket. A high-profile transfer could be on the cards if he continues on is current trajectory, along with an even bigger role in Southgate’s England set-up.

• Getty17Jordan Henderson ⬆️Henderson is a seasoned performer at international level with 81 caps, and a controversial transfer from Liverpool to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq has done little to damage the 33-year-old’s status as a regular for the Three Lions.

  However, critics continue to insist that Henderson should not be getting a look-in these days, and they had more cause to be enraged after his disaster-class against Malta. England were stifled whenever Henderson got on the ball and his poor positioning gave the visitors a few opportunities on the counter.

  Regardless, Henderson can do no wrong in Southgate’s eyes, which is why it would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t make the plane for Euro 2024. He is clearly well past his best, but England fans will have to make their peace with his continued presence.

• Getty18James Maddison ⬇️After almost four years, Maddison finally grabbed his second England cap against Ukraine in March, and showed exactly why he deserves more international recognition with a classy turn in attack. The 26-year-old went on to earn a summer move to Tottenham from Leicester City, and has been arguably the standout player of the 2023-24 Premier League season so far.

  Maddison also produced a star turn in England’s friendly win over Australia in October, and looked poised for a regular starting role. Unfortunately, he sustained a serious ankle injury in Spurs’ 4-1 defeat against Chelsea on November 6, which has sent him back to the drawing board.

  Tottenham are not expecting Maddison back until at least January, and he may have a fight on his hands to get back into optimal physical condition in time for the Euros.

• Getty19Conor Gallagher ⬆️Gallagher earned a place in the England squad while on loan at Crystal Palace, and has become a fixture in Southgate’s plans since returning to Chelsea. New Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has been able to bring the best out of Gallagher so far this season, and he’s embraced the intense competition for midfield places at Stamford Bridge.

  A forgettable performance against Malta represented a step-back for Gallagher’s England ambitions, but he deserves to be in the squad at the moment and will surely get another chance to prove himself before Euro 2024.

• Getty20Aaron Ramsdale ⬇️Ramsdale proved his status as a top-class keeper during Arsenal’s title charge last term, but has since lost his place to David Raya, who was signed from Brentford on loan in the summer window. The 25-year-old is no longer guaranteed to be the first man off the bench when Pickford is unavailable for England either, and finds himself at something of a career crossroads.

  A January transfer away from Arsenal might be in Ramsdale’s best interests, especially if he harbours ambitions to make his debut at a major international tournament next summer.

• Getty21Ben Chilwell ⬇️Chilwell has been ravaged by fitness problems in recent years, with a torn hamstring keeping him out of England’s latest World Cup bid. The 26-year-old started the new season in strong fashion for Chelsea after finally getting back to full fitness, and he returned to the Three Lions’ starting XI in a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in September.

  Unfortunately, by the end of that month, Chilwell was laid low again with another hamstring complaint. The 26-year-old might be back before Christmas, but few would bet against him staying fit for a prolonged period.

  England have plenty of other more reliable options at full-back, with Chilwell yet to show that he can cope with the physical demands of football at the highest level.

• Getty22Reece James ⬇️The 2022-23 campaign was a miserable one for James, who was left “devastated” after being left out of Southgate’s final 2022 World Cup squad due to a knee injury. His fitness woes have continued in 2023, and he suffered a hamstring injury in training shortly after being named Chelsea’s new captain by Pochettino.

  James got back on the pitch in time for a Carabao Cup last-16 clash with Blackburn, and also started Chelsea’s win over Tottenham and thrilling draw against Manchester City. In a bid to avoid another injury setback, the 23-year-old rejected a call-up to England’s latest squad.

  Southgate has admitted that James took a big “risk” with that decision, but it could pay off. The Chelsea star is one of the best full-backs in Europe on his day, and the Three Lions will be a stronger outfit if he is on the plane to Euro 2024.

• Getty23Raheem Sterling ⬇️There is no question that Sterling has been one of England’s best players during Southgate’s time at the helm. A haul of 20 goals and 27 assists in 80 games tells its own story, but the 28-year-old now finds himself in uncharted territory.

  Despite starting the new campaign with a bang for Chelsea, Sterling has been left out of Southgate’s last three squads, and finds himself behind the likes of Saka and Rashford in the pecking order. Sterling is “not happy” with the situation, by Southgate’s own admission, but it will be impossible for him to keep leaving the Chelsea forward out if his resurgence at Stamford Bridge continues.

• Getty24Sam Johnstone 🌟Johnstone earned his first England cap in two years against Australia, and justified his selection with a superb save that ultimately earned his team a clean sheet and a victory.

  Despite competing with Ramsdale and Newcastle’s Nick Pope, the Crystal Palace man suddenly looks like the leading candidate to be Pickford’s No.2 at the European Championship. It would be a deserved nod for Johnstone, who is a superb shot-stopper that always keeps a cool head under pressure.

• Getty25Lewis Dunk ⬇️Dunk is now very much a veteran of English football at the age of 31, but made only the third international appearance of his 13 year-career against Australia. The Brighton defender grabbed the opportunity with both hands, though, dominating in the air and showing off his impressive passing range while outclassing centre-back partner Fikayo Tomori.

  Southgate probably won’t use Dunk ahead of Maguire, Stones, or even Guehi, but he will have a good chance of being a part of England’s Euros camp if he continues to shine for Roberto De Zerbi’s high-flying Brighton side.

• Getty26Callum Wilson ⬇️Wilson’s goal against Malta in June was only his second in a Three Lions shirt, and it remains to be seen how many more he will add to that total due to his ongoing struggles for fitness. The Newcastle striker is a workhorse, which makes him ideal for Southgate’s system, and with Ivan Toney currently out of the picture, he should be the first man off the bench for Kane.

  The problem is, Wilson just can’t stay fit. He’s currently out of action with a hamstring problem, and it’s not yet known whether he will return before the end of the year. There’s no doubting Wilson’s talent, but an impact substitute role is the best the 31-year-old can hope for when England head to the Euros.

• Getty Images27Nick Pope ⬇️Pope helped Newcastle record the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League in his debut season at St James’ Park, and his imposing physical stature and ability to command his box naturally inspires confidence in the defenders in front of him.

  The 31-year-old also boasts outstanding reflexes, but has allowed basic errors to creep into his game in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign. That dip has seen Pope lose his automatic spot in Southgate’s squad. It remains to be seen if he can win it back either, with Johnstone performing far more consistently at the moment.

• Getty28Mason Mount ⬇️Mount was once considered to be Southgate’s ‘teacher’s pet’, but Manchester United’s £60m ($74m) man is currently enduring the most difficult spell of his career. The midfielder’s final season at Chelsea was a major disappointment, and he has yet to make the most of a fresh start at Old Trafford.

  There is a long road ahead of Mount if he is to regain Southgate’s favour, with England boasting a host of top players in midfield and attacking positions. Still, at only 24, it would be foolish to write him off completely. A resurgence for United in the second half of the season might just put Mount back in the picture and give him a shot of featuring at his third major tournament with the Three Lions.

• Getty29Fikayo Tomori ⬆️Of all the players left out of England’s squad for Qatar 2022, none had more reason to feel aggrieved than Tomori, who has built a sterling reputation for himself in Serie A since swapping Chelsea for AC Milan in 2021. The centre-back became a Scudetto winner in his first season at San Siro and is a talismanic player for head coach Stefano Pioli, but Southgate has only used him sporadically for England.

  Tomori has been involved in the last few squads, and filled in at left-back during the win against Malta. The 25-year-old probably won’t ever be a Three Lions mainstay, but he can still be a useful squad player and has every chance of making it to the Euros.

• Getty30Cole Palmer 🌟Palmer has been a revelation since his big-money move to Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer, recording four goals and two assists in his first nine Premier League outings for the club. His dazzling turn in a 4-4 draw against his old club ultimately earned him a maiden England call-up, which he “thought was a blag at first”.

  Yes, it’s early for the 21-year-old to be mixing it on the international stage, but he looked right at home in front of an expectant Wembley crowd when stepping off the bench for his debut against Malta. This is just the beginning for Palmer, who could be England’s next big star.

• Getty31Eberechi Eze ⬇️Crystal Palace winger Eze dazzled on his England debut against Malta in the summer, causing all sorts of problems with his dribbling skills and pace after being brought on for the final 20 minutes.

  The 25-year-old looked lively again after coming on as a substitute against Scotland in the September international break, but injury ruled him out of England’s October fixtures and he wasn’t able to return in time to earn a place in Southgate’s final qualifying camp.

  Eze offers England something different in attack, but it will take a monumental effort for him to make it to the Euros because there are simply are too many players ahead of the Palace star right now.

• Getty32Levi Colwill ⬆️Colwill was one of the stars of England’s glorious Under-21s European Championship campaign in the summer, and is now itching to make his mark on the senior stage. After being handed a new six-year contract at Chelsea and nailing down a place in Pochettino’s starting XI, Southgate handed the 20-year-old defender a maiden call-up, and although he didn’t feature in either of the September games, the experience will only aid his development.

  Long-term, Colwill looks like the standout candidate to replace Maguire alongside Stones in the heart of England’s defence, which is a testament to his unerring composure on the ball and technical ability.

• Getty33Ivan Toney ⬇️Toney, who scored 22 goals in 33 Premier League games for Brentford last term, finally made his international debut on March 26 as he came on as a late substitute against Ukraine – replacing Kane.

  He might have hoped to continue sharing striking duties with Kane on the road to the European Championship, but is instead facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaching FA betting rules. Toney is serving an eight-month ban from football, and won’t be available to play for England again until the new year.

• Getty Images34Rico Lewis 🌟He may have only just turned 19, but Lewis has the potential to be a valuable squad player for England if Southgate chooses to include him in the Euros squad. The Manchester City teenager is incredibly versatile having played in both full-back roles and as a central midfielder under Pep Guardiola.

  He also has experience of the very highest level from playing in both the Premier League and Champions League, and his Man-of-the-Match-worthy display against North Macedonia on debut suggested he won’t be overawed if he is drafted in on the international stage, either.

• Getty Images35Ben White ⬇️Arsenal defender White did manage to make the plane for Qatar 2022 but left the England camp after the group stage due to “personal reasons”. White settled straight back into the fold at Emirates Stadium after that setback, playing a vital role in the Gunners’ pursuit of a first domestic crown since 2003-04, but has been omitted from all of Southgate’s squads so far in 2023.

  The England boss could certainly use a player with White’s versatility, particularly after seeing him shine as a centre-back for Arsenal in the early months of the new season – but there appears to be no sign of his exile coming to an end.

• Getty Images36Jadon Sancho ⬇️It’s been four years since Sancho made his senior bow for England, and the fact that he has only appeared in 22 more games for his country since then speaks volumes.

  Sancho secured a dream £73m ($91m) move to Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, but his development has stalled at Old Trafford as he’s struggled to cope with the weight of expectation.

  After a public fallout with United boss Erik ten Hag, Sancho’s future at the club looks bleak, and so do his chances of an England recall – even if Southgate is leaving the door open.

• Getty37Ezri Konsa 🌟Konsa has had to wait a long time for his chance to shine for England. He was a part of the U20s squad that won the 2017 World Cup and also picked up seven caps for the U21s, but struggled to make that final step into the senior fold.

  The Aston Villa star’s luck finally changed in November as Southgate drafted him in for the games against Malta and North Macedonia, which he described as a “dream come true”.

  The 26-year-old has been one of the unsung heroes during Villa’s rise under Unai Emery, and it’s great to see him now getting the recognition he deserves. If he can keep it up, a European Championship berth could become a real possibility.

• Getty38Eddie Nketiah ⬇️Nketiah played for England at all development levels from U18s and up, and is still his country’s all-time record U21s goalscorer to this day. The 24-year-old has also worked hard to force his way into Arteta’s first-team set-up at Arsenal, and is now competing for minutes upfront alongside Gabriel Jesus.

  Southgate finally called Nketiah up to the big leagues in September, and the experience will have been a great learning curve for him – regardless of the fact that he was left among the substitutes.

  Becoming an important member of the squad is the next challenge for Nketiah, but that will only happen if he can increase his output in the final third for the Gunners.