ENGLAND’S EURO 2024 SQUAD LADDER: Bellingham and Walker are now UNTOUCHABLE in the squad – with Dunk rising up the rankings – as Sterling plummets… with the Euros nine months away how is the squad shaping up?

• England beat Scotland 3-1 after drawing 1-1 with Ukraine over the weekend 
• The 2024 European Championship in Germany is just nine months away 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off 

Another round of international fixtures has been and gone, and England have taken a step – albeit a small one – closer to next summer’s European Championship in Germany. 

An underwhelming 1-1 draw away to Ukraine followed by a 3-1 victory over a Scotland side that posed little threat other than teasing an own goal out of Harry Maguire may appear to have told us little about who will make the cut in 2024, but Gareth Southgate is sure to have learned plenty about the make-up of his squad. 

As ever, selection debates have raged, largely focusing on Maguire’s continued place in the side, as well as Jordan Henderson’s role now that he plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, with conversations emerging over whether Phil Foden can play as a 10.

The vast majority of fans, however, will have no complaint in seeing Jude Bellingham’s name emerge as one of the first on the teamsheet, alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka, John Stones – who was absent only through injury – and of course captain Harry Kane. 

Southgate will be able to name a squad of 26 players come next summer, and here Mail Sport’s Dominic Hogan takes you through the changes in the standings in the Three Lions camp after another round of games. 

Gareth Southgate’s side beat Scotland but suffered a perhaps surprising draw against Ukraine

MAIL SPORT’S PREVIOUS TOP 40 

1. Harry Kane

2. Bukayo Saka

3. John Stones

4. Marcus Rashford

5. Luke Shaw

6. Declan Rice

7. Jude Bellingham

8. Jack Grealish

9. Jordan Pickford

10. Jordan Henderson

11. Kyle Walker 

12. Ben Chilwell 

13. Harry Maguire

14. Trent Alexander-Arnold

15. Phil Foden 

16. Aaron Ramsdale

17. Kieran Tripper

18. Marc Guehi

19. James Maddison

20. Conor Gallagher

21. Kalvin Phillips

22. Reece James

23. Callum Wilson

24. Nick Pope

25. Mason Mount

26. Raheem Sterling

27. Levi Colwill

28. Eberechi Eze

29. Jacob Ramsey

30. Dean Henderson

31. Tyrone Mings

32. Eric Dier

33. James Ward-Prowse

34. Lewis Dunk

35. Rico Lewis

36. Curtis Jones

37. Morgan Gibbs-White

38. Fikayo Tomori

39. Jadon Sancho

40. Ivan Toney

 

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1. Harry Kane (NON-MOVER)

Shock – the captain and best player on the team is No 1 on the list. Of course he is. Kane could probably fail to score a single goal for Bayern Munich this season and still start every single game in the tournament. 

Not that he would ever fail to find the back of the next, though. He’s already got three in his first four games since his £100million switch this summer, and if anything, he’s showing that Germany is proving a fruitful hunting ground for England’s No 9. 

Unless disaster should strike and the skipper be ruled out, the Three Lions’ record goal scorer will lead the line – and he’ll probably be eyeing up the Golden Boot, too.

Harry Kane will unsurprisingly be the first name on the teamsheet in Germany as captain and England’s best player

2. Jude Bellingham (UP FIVE)

It should come as little surprise that Bellingham is now one of Southgate’s indispensables; after making light work of the step up to star for Real Madrid, he has become England’s most important midfielder at either No 10 or No 8, judging by recent games. 

He’s still only 20 – Southgate actually featured for England 18 days before he was even born – and yet he plays with the poise, composure, confidence, hunger and ability of a player 15 years his senior. It is quite frankly frightening how good he is. 

Bellingham’s meteoric rise has seen him become a staple of the Real Madrid midfield, and we all know how glittering that unit is. He is now undroppable, and should play near every minute in Germany, and don’t be surprised if he does so having lifted the Champions League a few weeks earlier.  

Jude Bellingham continued his remarkable trajectory with a starring role against Scotland

3. Bukayo Saka (DOWN ONE)

It seems unfair to drop Arsenal and England’s star boy by a place, but his position in the side is still almost as ingrained as Bellingham’s. Southgate’s feelings, at least, are clear on the matter, with Saka his preferred right winger. 

The 22-year-old plays with freedom and a smile on his face, but his down-to-earth and cheerful demeanour hide the snarling, ferociously talented and irrepressible forward that he is. Ask any left back in the Premier League and they’ll tell you just how hard to mark Saka is. 

Arsenal’s No 7 will play a crucial role in the tournament next summer, and is sure to continue his own rise to the top this season as the Gunners’ most important asset. 

4. John Stones (DOWN ONE)

It says a lot about a player that they can miss both the recent fixtures and still register in the top four most important players in the country, but Stones is quite frankly the best player in his position available to Southgate. 

That’s not to play down his ability – even if England had the depth at centre back that the likes of France can call upon, he’d still probably start. Composure on the ball, brilliant passing ability and a willing tackler, Stones now has a Champions League under his belt to add further clout to his name. 

Whisper it quietly, but an injury to Stones could seriously hamper England’s hopes of winning the Euros next summer – but with him in the side, the worrying lack of depth at the back is almost entirely forgotten.  

John Stones (left) is regularly partnered by Harry Maguire (right) at the back for England

5. Declan Rice (UP ONE)

While Bellingham has stolen the headlines, Arsenal’s Rice has become another stalwart of the Three Lions youthful side in similarly impressive fashion in recent years. 

The midfielder starred under Southgate as his side made the final of the last Euros, and has kept his spot ever since, going from strength to strength, to strength again. Rice is now the country’s leading defensive midfielder. 

Rice and Bellingham have already built up a strong relationship having spent time together in the England camps of the last few years and it’s starting to show on the pitch – the only question will be who partners them in the middle.  

6. Kyle Walker (UP FIVE)

It feels like the Man City defender is somehow under-rated, despite arguably being the best right back in the Premier League era. Despite the eye-watering spend on defenders at the Etihad in the last decade, Walker has remained a key part of the side winning trophy after trophy. 

Southgate revealed he has twice talked the player out of international retirement, which highlights just how important he is to the side. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kieran Trippier might be the three other best right backs in the Premier League, but none can get past Walker. 

He’s not just a star performer, but a leader now, too. He’ll be 34 next summer, but he has shown no signs of slowing up at all, so there should be no doubt that Walker retains the No 2 shirt in Germany.

Kyle Walker is undoubtedly the most important right back for England and is currently undroppable

7. Jordan Pickford (UP TWO)

Pickford has long been Southgate’s No 1, and that does not look like changing any time soon. Yes, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope are top quality – although the latter has recently been replaced by Sam Johnstone – but the Everton stopper is a class act for England. 

There was a time when his name was dropped in alongside that of Maguire when questions were raised over Southgate’s squads, but those murmurs have since retreated back to the shadows where they belong. Pickford has been the man for the big moments for England in the last three major tournaments.

Pickford will take the gloves, despite the competition, and the relationship he has formed with the likes of Walker and Stones at the back could prove vital in England’s quest to end the long years of hurt.  

8. Marcus Rashford (DOWN FOUR)

The Manchester United star has had a comparatively quiet start to the season with just the one goal so far, but he is still one of the most important figures in the England squad. 

It’s not just his goals that are impressive, but the way he holds and conducts himself on the big stages, finishing as England’s joint-top scorer at the World Cup in Qatar. He may still be 25, but he has a maturity well beyond his years that truly helps him stand out. 

He isn’t just a left winger, but a potential No 9 for Southgate should the worst befall Kane, and his electric pace strikes fear in defenders’ hearts. He didn’t start in Poland, but he did against Scotland, and showed his strong relationship with Bellingham and Kane in doing so.  

Marcus Rashford is a brilliant option both at left wing and through the middle for England 

9. Luke Shaw (DOWN FOUR)

Rashford’s United team-mate Luke Shaw might be injured, but he’s at little risk of losing his spot in the starting line-up, with only Ben Chilwell posing a real challenge to his No 3 shirt. 

Time and again, Shaw has been called upon by Southgate, and his impressive club form in the last 12 months has only furthered his case to start in Germany. Lest we forget, he was the man who had England fans dreaming for 65 minutes at Wembley two years ago.

Shaw and Rashford down the left has a good ring to it, with the pair forming a great relationship for both club and country, and a strong season for United will see them surely repeat the act at the Euros. 

10. Jack Grealish (DOWN TWO)

Man City star Grealish is an odd one. He missed out through injury this time around, yet is undoubtedly one of Southgate’s most trusted performers – but where does he start?

He broke into the side as a game-finisher, someone who comes off the bench to put the final nail in the coffin late in the game and did so to great effect in the last Euros, although he has also rivalled Rashford for the left wing slot in the last 12 months or so, and has a great case to start there. 

Were he fit, he would probably have started the game against Ukraine, but James Maddison deputised in his absence. Grealish would have presented a different prospect for right back Yukhym Konoplya, gliding his way through any gap presented to him – perhaps to greater effect, too. 

Grealish is a must for Southgate, and his place in the squad is non-negotiable – the manager so far seems to agree, too. 

11. Jordan Henderson (DOWN ONE)

Whether or not you agree with Southgate’s claims that playing in the Saudi Pro League doesn’t lessen Henderson’s claim to a place in the side, he has proven to be a key part of the Three Lions boss’ plans in recent years. That does not look like changing any time soon. 

Henderson made this squad early on in his tenure at Al-Ettifaq. Come the next round of fixtures in a month’s time, things could look very different for the ex-Liverpool captain. 

For now, Henderson looks to be holding onto his starting role, probably alongside Rice and Bellingham in a midfield three. His place, though, does look to be somewhat more precarious than his team-mates, and he will need to put in a number of impressive displays under Steven Gerrard to hold onto his place in the starting XI.  

Jordan Henderson’s place is becoming less and less certain but he is currently just about in line to start in Germany

12. Ben Chilwell (NON-MOVER)

Chelsea left back Chilwell did little to hamper his claim to be Shaw’s stand-in in Germany, and acquitted himself well in a damp team display against Ukraine at the weekend. 

Somewhat more adventurous going forward than Shaw, he has starred early in the season for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, yet the United man has perhaps most importantly retained the trust of Southgate over his years of service. 

That being said, Shaw has shown himself susceptible to injury, and with Chilwell going nowhere fast, there is a case that after Henderson, his place in the side could be most at risk of being usurped.  

13. Harry Maguire (NON-MOVER)

Ah, the Maguire question. Perhaps the only thing that unifies most England fans is the idea that Maguire should not be in the squad. Let’s look at it from Southgate’s perspective; he has a strong record alongside Stones (36 games, 32 conceded), has been a key part of the last three campaigns (one final, one semi-final, one quarter-final) and is a good foil to Stones in terms of playing style. 

On the surface, those facts present a strong argument for him to start in Germany. All aside from the fact that he rarely plays for his club, has been stripped of the captaincy and is clearly now only fourth-choice centre back at Old Trafford. 

The reality is that Maguire will probably start the first game alongside Stones, as long as he plays around 15 games this term. Marc Guehi seems to be closing the gap to him in Southgate’s eyes, but do not be surprised to see his name alongside Stones’ next summer.  

There are concerns over his game time at Man United where he is fourth-choice centre half

Maguire is a regular feature in Southgate’s England squads over the years and has found success with the Three Lions, playing a key role in the last three major tournaments

14. James Maddison (UP FIVE)

One of the big movers up the squad ladder, Tottenham’s Maddison was picked to start against Ukraine in a clear indication that he is not far from the first team, and definitely set to make the squad next summer. 

Grealish and Rashford are ahead of him in the running at left wing, but Maddison is also adept from central attacking midfield, and will provide cover there as well at the tournament in 2024. 

He’s made short work of slotting into a so far impressive Spurs side this season, and a continuation of his form so far this term could give Southgate a big call to make.  

15. Phil Foden ( NON-MOVER)

Foden’s talent has never been denied by Southgate, just his ability to play in behind the striker. The City starlet was second only to Bellingham against Scotland, plucking balls out of thin air in a style akin to a prime Dennis Bergkamp, before ghosting away from his defender. 

Perhaps Foden could make a case to start at No 10, with Bellingham at 8 and Rice a 4 – what a ferocious prospect that would be. The likelihood is that Foden will start the third group game of the tournament if qualification has been secured, and appear off the bench in the majority of games at the moment. 

But that could very easily change should he stake his claim to Kevin De Bruyne’s role in the Belgian’s absence at City. 

He has the faith of the manager, who started him in the quarter-final clash with France last winter – just less of it than the likes of Saka, Rashford and Grealish.  

There has been plenty of debate around whether Phil Foden can play as a No 10 for England 

16. Kieran Trippier – (UP THREE)

It is more a statement of how much Southgate likes Trippier that he shoe-horns him in at left back, than a slight against Chilwell and the other left back hopefuls, but the Newcastle star has fast become one of the manager’s go-to guys. 

With tournament football so often decided by set-pieces – we will all remember that stunner against Croatia five years ago until the day we die – Trippier also provides the X-factor that could prove the difference late in a game in Germany. 

The former Spurs right back is Southgate’s second choice at No 2, and his third at No 3 – with Newcastle captaincy experience in Jamaal Lascelles’ absence last term to boot. Trippier will be on the plane, and will likely have an influence off the bench in Germany. 

Kieran Trippier is not just the second choice right back but at times has deputised on the left too

17. Aaron Ramsdale (DOWN ONE)

Having fended off the challenge of Pope in recent squads, Ramsdale now looks to be the long-term successor to Pickford between the sticks for England. 

However, despite his stunning form for Arsenal in the last two seasons, he still has work to do if he is to take the No 1 shirt from Pickford’s back, after conceding five goals in his four caps so far. 

The Arsenal No 1 has the challenge of David Raya now to contend with at his club, which could take his game to a whole new level – and it will have to if he is to have a chance at starting the first game of the tournament.  

Aaron Ramsdale has staked his claim to be Jordan Pickford’s replacement and started against Scotland

18. Marc Guehi (NON-MOVER)

Starts in Poland and Scotland have highlighted just how much Southgate thinks of Crystal Palace’s Guehi. The Ivory Coast-born defender has been one of Southgate’s most consistent picks in his England squads in recent years, although he has just six caps to his name. 

His performances have gone from strength to strength since leaving Chelsea for Crystal Palace – so much so that Arsenal came sniffing this summer to try and sound out a move. Guehi reads the game so well and can regularly be found snuffing out searching through balls in behind the Palace midfield to frightening effect. 

He gave a good account of himself in the international break, and will have impressed Southgate with how well he is taking to international football – Guehi now leads Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk in the race to fill in for Maguire should he be dropped. 

Marc Guehi has six England caps to his name after impressing in his time at Crystal Palace

19. Trent Alexander-Arnold (DOWN FIVE)

Alexander-Arnold falls down the pecking order after missing the latest international break through injury.

He could find a place in the squad as a midfielder moving forward, but is arguably behind Walker, Trippier and Reece James when it comes to be right backs. 

But for his place to arguably be dependent on an injury to another player – and even then he would hardly be nailed on – shows how his stock has fallen in England over the last few years. 

However, if any are capable of tipping the scales back in their favour through sheer weight of performances, then it is Liverpool’s No 66. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold featured in midfield against Malta back in June but has been left out once more

20. Conor Gallagher (NON-MOVER)

Chelsea midfielder Gallagher has done very little wrong when handed his opportunities by Southgate, and has been impressive at his club at the start of the season, with midfielders at a premium. 

He came off the bench twice this international break, perhaps foreshadowing his role in Germany, and barring a horrendous drop-off in form, he should be lining up on the bench next summer. 

It is hardly his fault that Rice and Bellingham have emerged so explosively ahead of him in the standings, but don’t be surprised if he should benefit from the potential absence in Henderson, should Southgate realise that the Saudi Pro League is not quite as competitive as the Premier League.  

21. Eberechi Eze (UP EIGHT)

Sneaking in just behind Gallagher is Eberechi Eze. The Palace midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting and silky young talents in the country, and has been rewarded for his fine club form by call-ups in each of Southgate’s last two squads. 

Adept at breaking the lines and at flitting in and out of defenders, Eze looks set to make the squad to go to Germany. At Selhurst Park he is handed the limelight alongside Michael Olise, and rightly so, which has only helped his game develop further still. 

Left on the bench in Poland, Eze came off it against Scotland at Hampden Park to win his second England cap at 25 – you’d expect him to make the squad for Germany as perhaps the fifth-choice central midfielder looking to come on late in the group stages for some valuable tournament minutes. 

Eberechi Eze has emerged as one of the most exciting midfield talents in the Premier League

22. Reece James (NON-MOVER)

James remains at 22, but there must be serious concerns about his fitness issues now.

The Chelsea full back missed the World Cup due to injury, and has suffered further setbacks since.

If he can stay fit, he is likely to go to Germany, but Southgate may decide it is too risky to select him if he keeps missing games regularly. 

23. Lewis Dunk (UP 13)

Nobody has improved their standing in the England squad more than the Brighton captain in recent weeks, winning his first cap in almost five years against Scotland in a confident, battling performance at a tense and hostile Hampden Park. 

England arguably have no defender that has been around the block more than the Seagulls centre back, who has been on the books at the Amex for more than a decade, helping them in their meteoric rise from the Football League to the Europa League.

Dunk looks the perfect like-for-like replacement for Maguire fulfilling the unofficial ‘bigger man’ role at the back, although his path to the starting XI at the moment seems blocked by Guehi and the Man United ex-skipper. He does interestingly seem to have overtaken Tomori in the running, though.

Lewis Dunk was called up to the England squad for the first time in almost five years

24. Kalvin Phillips (DOWN THREE)

Despite starting against Scotland, his stock seems to be on a downward trajectory in comparison to that of Gallagher and Eze at the moment for England. 

Much of Southgate’s previous argument for keeping him in the side had centred on a lack of alternatives in the middle, and for the most part he had a point. Now, though, with Gallagher, Eze, Rice, and of course Bellingham all getting plenty of minutes last term and in the upcoming season, Phillips should be concerned about his place in the side. 

Consistency from those ahead of him in the pecking order should see the necessity for Phillips to be included in the team lessened, with a breakthrough season at City needed for the ex-Leeds star to really have a case for a place in the final 26-man squad.  

25. Callum Wilson (DOWN TWO)

Unfortunately for Callum Wilson, he could score 40 goals this season and he still won’t start for England. He has however seemingly singled out the second choice striker role for himself – although there is an argument that Rashford is his rival there. 

With Ollie Watkins surprisingly not called up, it fell on Wilson to take on the job of the last 20 minutes in the game to hand Kane a well-earned rest, and he acquitted himself well – but nobody can ever really compare to the England captain. 

Wilson should make the squad, and can expect minutes in Germany – perhaps a start in the group stages. He is clearly trusted by Southgate, who has brought him on five times in the last 11 England games. 

For now, the Newcastle striker is second-in-command to Kane up top, but his injury record is chequered to say the least, and an impressive campaign from Watkins could see a return to the fold.  

Callum Wilson has moved ahead of Ollie Watkins as Kane’s back-up at No 9 under Southgate

26. Sam Johnstone (NEW ENTRY)

Crystal Palace’s No 1 – for now – Johnstone perhaps raised a few eyebrows with his inclusion to the squad this time round over Pope, but the Magpies stopper has had a tough start to 2023-24 between the sticks for Eddie Howe. 

Johnstone faces a fight to hold onto his spot at Selhurst Park with Dean Henderson brought in from Manchester United, but with the former Nottingham Forest loanee sidelined by injury and yet to make his debut, there is still a chance for Johnstone to make himself undroppable. 

Johnstone was called up this time around, so we have to assume that at this moment he is ranked higher than Pope, but there is every chance that things could change, with the former Burnley man surely set for a change in circumstances as Newcastle begin their return to Champions League football.  

27. Nick Pope (DOWN THREE)

It may seem strange to see a ‘keeper regularly ranking top of the Premier League, but Newcastle’s No 1 has been in poor form at the start of the season along with the rest of his club-mates. 

Pope had looked to be edging ahead of Ramsdale a year ago, but now he seems to have fallen behind Johnstone in the pecking order. Pope is probably the best natural shot-stopper in the running for a place in the squad, but his ability with the ball at his feet has always been used against him. It seems tough, given he’s a goalkeeper and all, but that is the modern game.

The 31-year-old will get back to close to his best this term, and will be playing Champions League football, too, so it is not exactly beyond any stretch of the imagination that he might make a comeback for next summer. Be that as it may, his recent omission will have given him plenty of food for thought.  

28. Mason Mount (UP ONE) 

A move to Manchester United could be just what Mount needs to resurrect his one-time promising England career in time for the Euros. 

Mount was quickly involved for United before an injury put him out of action, but the 24-year-old is set for a major role in a side that has seen heavy investment result in a return to the Champions League. 

The 24-year-old seems a distance away from the side at the moment, but we all know what talent he possesses, and it now looks like he is in direct competition with Maddison for a specialist attacking-midfield role on the plane. 

The Tottenham man is winning that duel at the moment, but can Mount pull some ground back when he returns from the sidelines? 

29. Fikayo Tomori (UP NINE)

The AC Milan defender’s stock never seems higher among fans than when Maguire is called up to the squad, but Southgate evidently does not see things the same way, with the ex-Chelsea star once again not adding to his three caps. 

At Milan he was reliable and impressive as the Rossoneri lifted the Scudetto in 2021-22, there is no denying that. He only lost one game in the starting XI, after all. But against the best Europe has to offer in the Champions League, he only won three games and conceded nine goals. A red card against former club Chelsea was a particular low point – and one which Southgate will surely have been watching.

Tomori is falling further and further behind in the race for the second centre back slot. However, he does have a decent chance of making the squad next summer due to a long-term injury to Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady now playing in the Championship, so his move up the ladder reflects this.

Fikayo Tomori was unable to add to his three England caps against Ukraine and Scotland

Fans have frequently questioned why Tomori has been overlooked in favour of Maguire 

30. Eddie Nketiah (NEW ENTRY)

Arsenal’s No 14 was the shock inclusion in the recent squad, but was unable to turn his call-up into a senior cap, having seemingly turned down the advances of Ghana to represent the Three Lions. 

Nketiah has featured in fits and bursts for Arsenal, largely when regular No 9 Gabriel Jesus has been injured, and when given a run of games he has generally delivered, but he would be an almighty shock selection for next summer’s tournament. 

Interestingly, though, he was picked ahead of Watkins this time around, and although he has scored twice in four games already, he will likely need around 20 goals for the campaign to justify a place on the plane.  

31. Levi Colwill (DOWN FOUR)

Colwill was another late addition to the squad alongside the Gunners striker, and although he has come straight into the fold for Chelsea, he is still some way away from the squad. 

He will likely start the next World Cup – definitely the next time the Euros come around – but at the moment he just needs too much to go his way to make the squad. 

That he is as high up as 30 so early in his senior England career is heartening. His talent is undeniable, and he is beginning to deliver on his long-promised potential under Pochettino. His ceiling seems very high indeed, and Colwill is a player that England fans can get very excited about.  

Levi Colwill was called up to the England squad to take on Ukraine and Scotland but is uncapped at senior level

The Chelsea ace impressed as England won the European U21 Championship this summer

32. Raheem Sterling (DOWN FIVE)

Never did we think we would see the days when Sterling – arguably one of the standout performers at the last tournament – would be at 32 in the squad rankings, but such is his fall from grace that he now faces a tough battle to get back into the reckoning. 

Sterling has shown glimmers of his prodigious quality this season already with an impressive start to the season with Chelsea, but will need more than glimmers to get back into Southgate’s good books. 

What doesn’t help, is that in the time since the last tournament, Saka, Foden and Grealish have all come on leaps and bounds, and it would now be extremely harsh for any of them not to make the squad. 

Add in Rashford and now Maddison, and Sterling’s continued absence begins to make more sense – there are simply too many bodies performing better than he is at the moment. 

But if there is one player that can mount a comeback, it’s Sterling. There is also the small matter of his 82 caps, highlighting the experience he would bring to the squad. A solid season of 15 goals, which is comparatively meagre based on his previous form, should get him into the side. Right now, though, it looks difficult to plot his way back.

Raheem Sterling currently seems out of the reckoning for a place in the side but if anyone can force Southgate’s hand, it is the Chelsea star

33. James Ward-Prowse (NON-MOVER)

He’s more than a set-piece merchant – much more – but it would be stupid to ignore the freakish talent he has from dead ball situations. Much like Trippier, Ward-Prowse has the ability to potentially pluck a win out of nowhere late in the game, and Southgate will undeniably be aware of that. 

The former Southampton skipper has made a brilliant start to his West Ham career, and there is increasing clamour for him to be involved for the Three Lions, although he has not quite doing enough as far as Southgate is concerned. 

Similar to Sterling, Ward-Prowse is still a little way down the pecking order right now, although he is definitely one who can profit from Phillips’ prolonged lack of game time and Henderson’s Saudi switch. Keep up the good work in east London and Ward-Prowse could be in with a shout.  

34. Jarrod Bowen (NEW ENTRY)

Just behind Ward-Prowse is his fellow high-flying team-mate. Bowen has three goals and an assist in his first four Premier League games this season, and doesn’t look to be stopping any time soon. 

But there is so much competition at right wing right now, that it is hard to see the 26-year-old breaking through in time for the 26-man squad next summer. 

West Ham will be in the Europa League this season, and he will have another chance to show what he can do against some of Europe’s best sides like Roma, Ajax, Atalanta, Villarreal and Bayer Leverkusen should the Hammers get through their group. Do that, and who knows what could happen. 

Jarrod Bowen has not appeared for England since last summer, playing 45 minutes of the defeat to Hungary

35. Ollie Watkins (NEW ENTRY)

Aston Villa striker Watkins was perhaps considered one of the more unlucky players to miss out this time round, and it is difficult to see where he is going wrong. 

He’s yet to score in the league, but does have a hat-trick in European qualifying to his name. Unai Emery’s preferred No 9 will likely fight back this season, and may take the third-choice striker slot from Nketiah with a repeat of last term’s heroics. 

36. Morgan Gibbs-White (UP ONE)

Gibbs-White was sensational for Nottingham Forest last season in their bid to escape relegation, and has shown a great ability to form a partnership in behind a central striker, doing so with both Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi last term. 

Gibbs-White remains admired within the England setup, having played his way through the youth ranks and impressed while doing so. He has a brilliant ability to break games, but is surely one for future tournaments at this point, still just 23.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Gordon starred for the Young Lions as they lifted the U21 European Championship this summer

37. Harvey Elliott (NEW ENTRY)

One of two young Liverpool midfielders sitting on the fringes of the squad, Elliott has long been flirting with a call-up to the senior side, but is still yet to stake a real claim. 

Nobody doubts his potential, and at 20 years old he already has 73 senior games for Liverpool – there aren’t many that can say that. Fewer still who can say as much and not have come to anything. 

Elliott will be a staple of the Three Lions squads of the next decade, thanks to his prodigious talent.

38. Anthony Gordon (NEW ENTRY)

A big-money move from boyhood club Everton to Newcastle in January is still yet to yield the eye-catching performances we know the youngster is capable of, but a strong showing with the U21s has surely improved his stock with the senior team. 

The 22-year-old hit the back of the net twice and assisted another for Lee Carsley’s Young Lions over the summer, and looks a future shoe-in at left wing.  

39. Curtis Jones (DOWN THREE)

Liverpool’s big-spending in midfield has perhaps delayed the home-grown talent from getting more minutes at this stage in the season, but Jones is sure to become a regular feature as the games begin to come thick and fast. 

Only two games in the Premier League so far for 2023-24, but the youngster who scored the winning goal in the U21 Euros final could be a future midfield partner for Bellingham and Rice in the tournaments to come.

Curtis Jones scored the winning goal in the final in Batumi to seal the 1-0 win over Spain

40. Rico Lewis (DOWN FIVE)

Lewis is the long-term successor to Walker for both club and country, and is already showing us why at the age of just 18. 

For City he has shown himself to be malleable and versatile as Pep Guardiola constantly pushes the boundaries of what a formation should look like, and is learning under the best coach in the world. 

What an asset he will be to England in the years to come, sure to be a key fixture of the Three Lions’ future.  

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