England earned the right to be a top seed for the Euro 2024 draw | Football Digest
It is the start of a long six months for a number of England players, including Jack Grealish. Heading back from Qatar after a reasonably successful World Cup, many will have felt they were a shoo-in for next summer’s Euro 2024, then only 18 months away.
But it has been a disappointing end to England’s qualifying campaign which highlighted a few inadequacies as the foot came off the pedal. On top of that, there are those hurtful mathematics which turn a 25-man 2022 World Cup squad into the 23 Southgate has to name seven days before England play their first game in the European Championships.
It’s a worry, even if you’ve got a £100million price tag in the bank. “I think there will be a few nerves for everyone, particular in the attacking positions,” Grealish said. “There is obviously Harry Kane up front and then behind him there is talent there.
“It is ridiculous. There are so many good players playing well. So yes. We have all got to have a good second half of the season as everyone wants to go to the Euros.” Grealish seemed to have cracked his move to Manchester City last season, when he was trusted by Pep Guardiola to star in most of the major fixtures.
This season, though, he has started just three Premier League games and an England start against North Macedonia was a worryingly rare opportunity for Grealish to showcase his talents. “I thought I played well,” Grealish said. “I created chances and should have had the goal, or I thought it was a goal at the time. But I feel like I still have a few gears to go up and step up to.”
Jack Grealish is worried he might miss out on England's Euro 2024 squad (Image: GETTY)
He needs to get through them quickly, As well as the rivalry within the camp, Raheem Sterling seems determined to prove with his performances for Chelsea that Southgate’s determination to leave him on the international sidelines is a luxury he cannot afford. “Raheem is obviously playing really well at the moment,” Grealish said.
“So are the likes of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka... and I feel like I am playing well at the moment. I am just not having any luck in front of goal at the moment. There are so many good players. Cole Palmer has come in this camp and done really well, Jarrod Bowen is doing really well so there is massive competition in those attacking places.
“But that is what you want.” If you are manager perhaps - but it could mean heartache for Grealish. Southgate has always been reluctant to really give the playmaker his head and James Maddison’s improvement under Ange Postecoglou at Spurs looks set only to continue.
Even with so much versatility in defence, the cautious England boss will still insist on eight defenders - albeit with Trent Alexander-Arnold a hybrid midfielder. That leaves just six places up front for all that talent Grealish speaks about. After the lacklustre finish to the campaign, the temptation is to look at what was not at Southgate’s disposal this month.
Jack Grealish has been an England regular under Gareth Southgate (Image: GETTY)
Sterling, still only 28, maintains pace in abundance and improving form at Chelsea might not be so easily ignored for the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium - a chance for Southgate to test whether his side really are on their way to being the best in the world.
Then there is Ivan Toney, ready to resume playing again in January after his ban for breaking gambling guidelines. England need something different beyond Harry Kane, and he could just be the difference.
Possible 23-man England squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone
Defenders: Harry Maguire, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison
Attackers:Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford
