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England ambled through a lacklustre end to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with faltering performances that left Gareth Southgate with as many questions as answers.
An unconvincing 2-0 win against Malta at Wembley and a dreary 1-1 draw away at North Macedonia did little to back up Southgate’s assertion that he has made England more entertaining.
The Three Lions booked their place in Germany with a 3-1 win over Italy in October so these were two games of experimentation and we did not see the nation’s best 11 – nor some tactical breakthrough.
With all this in mind, here is Mail Sport’s England squad ladder for Euro 2024, pound-for-pound. It’s worth noting that England will only be able to take 23 men to Germany, and we haven’t stuck rigorously to the squad requirements of that – while Southgate would be bound to take three goalkeepers, only two make our top 23 players at the moment.
The latest international break produced as many questions as answers for Gareth Southgate
1. Harry Kane (NON-MOVER)
When England needed somebody to save them from the ignominy of defeat to North Macedonia, who came off the bench to save them?
Within 40 seconds of being allowed to run riot, Harry Kane had forced the equaliser and proven why he is the nation’s talisman. His mere presence panics the opposition.
A goal against Malta, too, kept his England goal tally ticking along. Sixty-two, now, and always rising.
Any worry that a culture shock moving to Bayern Munich would perturb him has been expelled. He has scored 21 goals in 16 games for the Bavarians this season. First man on the plane, pick whichever seat you like.
2. Jude Bellingham (NON-MOVER)
Real Madrid’s shining light sat out of this international break injured, but there’s no disputing his place in the squad.
Jude Bellingham can do it all. The assumption at Borussia Dortmund was that we had unearthed this precocious holding midfielder or No 8.
Little did we know that he has a ruthless, unstoppable scoring streak in him. Deployed at the peak of Los Blancos’ midfield, the king of the Bernabeu has 13 goals and three assists this season.
When games are slipping away, he grabs them by the scruff of the neck and changes them in an instant. Then changes them even more for good measure. Just watch his El Clasico performance. He’s our best midfielder.
Jude Bellingham is relentless for Real Madrid this season and is England’s best midfielder
3. Kyle Walker (UP THREE)
One of the defining moments of Kyle Walker’s life happened this international break: he was trusted with the England armband for the first time.
That Gareth Southgate made the Man City full-back skipper against North Macedonia underlines his trust in the ever-dependable, ever-exciting Walker.
His performance against Malta was understated because he did not have much to do. But this man is a consummate professional who can do everything England require in a right-back.
4. Declan Rice (NON-MOVER)
Slowly the accusations of ‘boring’ are dissipating.
His drive through the Malta midfield and belter of a goal were dismissed because Harry Kane was stood in an offside position, but the message had been sent: underestimate Declan Rice at your peril.
He also nearly scored a long-range effort against North Macedonia, clattering the post. He’s the excellent holding man that the England midfield needs but he can carry a ball expertly and catch teams by surprise with a powerful shot.
Declan Rice thought he had scored a stunner against Malta but Harry Kane was ruled offside
5. John Stones (down two)
This demotion is not John Stones’ fault.
Pep Guardiola confirmed he could be out for a ‘while’ after suffering his third injury of the year.
Such issues put a minor mark against his name but make no mistakes: if he’s fit, he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet for England. His performances have erupted under Guardiola and his versatility is a big asset in tournament football.
6. Jordan Pickford (UP ONE)
It’s hard to see anybody else starting between the sticks for England at Euro 2024.
That was already the case, but the gulf has been torn even wider in recent times. Everton are in resurgent form, Aaron Ramsdale is struggling to get minutes, and Gareth Southgate just doesn’t seem to see Nick Pope as an England goalkeeper.
Pickford’s distribution and ability to produce spectacular, acrobatic saves will always be a gift for him in this England team. He’s not the world’s best goalkeeper but his ceiling is high and that’s all you need in tournament football – a few really big moments.
Take his penalty save against North Macedonia, for example. Nobody had saved a penalty in regulation time for England in ten years. Now Pickford has.
The gulf between Jordan Pickford and his understudies is growing, especially Aaron Ramsdale
7. Bukayo Saka (DOWN TWO)
Bukayo’s England seat is secure, and he once again proved his talent this international break by setting up Jack Grealish for his disallowed goal against North Macedonia.
Phil Foden playing on the right in a 4-3-3 is arguably the main threat to Saka’s starting berth but after another flying season with Arsenal, he has to get consistent England minutes.
Over the summer, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 7-0 win over North Macedonia and Southgate hailed him as ‘elite’ and ‘exceptional to work with’.
8. Phil Foden (UP THREE)
Despite Foden’s brilliance, the greatest mental block regarding him is still that lingering question: what is he? What is his best position? Football fans like to put players into boxes.
The truth is that he is a player who is luminous in multiple positions and possesses a magic few others do. He was key in the build-up to both goals against Malta with a lovely lay-off for the second goal.
His contributions at Manchester City have remained consistent for years now and his adaptability means Southgate has multiple ways he can feed him in depending on how England want to play.
Phil Foden’s versatility makes him a huge asset in tournament football and his quality is unique
9. Kieran Trippier (UP FOUR)
Played well against Malta after a demanding run with Newcastle.
His form has been questionable in recent games with the Magpies under the cosh with injuries, difficult fixtures, and a pile-up of games. That was most evident in Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, where Trippier and most of his team-mates looked jaded.
That said, overall he has been outstanding and has coped well with Newcastle’s return to Champions League football. He is a star in an England shirt and could slot in on the right or left of the defence.
10. Jack Grealish (UP TWO)
One of England’s best players against North Macedonia and had a goal disallowed.
The main question facing Grealish this season is that of game time. Jeremy Doku’s chaotic presence at Man City has seen Grealish oftentimes relegated to the bench, a wooden outpost he won’t want to grow too familiar with.
His more measured, patient approach to the game than Doku is a style that fits in well with Southgate’s blueprint and Grealish has enough about him to withstand a bit of competition at club level.
Jack Grealish (above) is challenged by Jeremy Doku at club level but it’s hard to envision an England squad without him. The Man City winger shows his passion against North Macedonia
11. Harry Maguire (DOWN ONE)
Harry Maguire lost the battle with Marc Guehi this international break, especially when playing against North Macedonia, when he gifted them a chance and later almost a penalty.
The offset? His resurgent club form. Maguire has been imperious and charismatic in recent weeks, filling the void left by Erik ten Hag’s decision not to play Raphael Varane. In Manchester United’s storm he has been a steady ship.
Southgate likes Maguire and with improving club form, you can bank on him being in the top three centre-back options. Could an ever-maturing Guehi pip him to the ‘John Stones partner’ role? Perhaps.
12. Trent Alexander-Arnold (UP SIX)
It’s official: Trent Alexander-Arnold can lead an England midfield.
He was domineering against Malta, probably the best player on the pitch. Against North Macedonia, by contrast, he struggled to control the game and was booked.
All the same, Southgate will be buoyed by the promise he has shown in midfield and Liverpool’s drastically improved defensive record. The Reds are the joint-lowest conceders in the league and Alexander-Arnold has tidied up his defensive work while retaining his attacking potency.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has revitalised his England career with some good midfield showings
13. Luke Shaw (DOWN FOUR)
One of the main victims of Man United’s injury crisis, Luke Shaw has been out since August but could be in line for a return soon.
Unless Trippier shifts over, the reality is that Shaw is probably England’s first-choice left-back. He managed 20 appearances for the Three Lions between 2021 and 2022, outlining Southgate’s trust in him when he is fit, and his competition isn’t exactly running rampant at the moment.
He’ll be desperate to get some game time for England in March just to find his international rhythm again and cement his squad status.
14. Marc Guehi (UP THREE)
If there’s any threat to Maguire’s cushy spot in a Southgate starting 11, it’s Marc Guehi.
The Crystal Palace man, once made the Eagles’ youngest-ever captain aged 21, has continued his development this campaign so much that they’re slapping a £50million price tag on him to deter admirers such as Arsenal.
He came out of this international break looking more solid than Maguire and could be a future leader of the country.
Gareth Southgate is very loyal to Harry Maguire but Marc Guehi is doing his best to test that
15. James Maddison (DOWN ONE)
Although he’s out until the new year, it’s tricky to see James Maddison’s injury affecting his position much because he was in such excellent form for Tottenham.
Lots of midfield players besides Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have question marks hovering over them, so you’d back Maddison to be in Southgate’s top six easily.
He was the Premier League’s Player of the Month in August, helped Spurs play a rejuvenated style of football, and looks entirely at home as a resident cheeky chappy and solid performer for England.
16. Marcus Rashford (DOWN EIGHT)
Is it time to reach a state of alarm with Marcus Rashford? The statistical drop-off from last season has been a big surprise. Thirty goals in all competitions to just the one so far.
Things didn’t really click for him against Malta, where he limped off injured, but his cameo against North Macedonia was more encouraging and he went close with a late free-kick.
Rashford has been through thick and thin with England and is a wonderful role model for the next generation. His effort and consistency are hallmarks of his time in an England kit but he needs to find better form with other players snapping at his heels.
Marcus Rashford must improve his domestic form to make sure he retains his England spot
17. Jordan Henderson (DOWN ONE)
Yet more thunder of boos. England fans aren’t forgiving Jordan Henderson fans for moving to Saudi Arabia.
Southgate jumped to his defence in October, praising his ‘commitment’ and ‘phenomenal importance’ in the face of abuse by supporters.
Henderson is a leader on and off the pitch and brings so much vitality to any side he is part of. It’s hard to measure his performance levels in the Saudi Pro League, however.
His outing against Malta was fine and Southgate knows he can trust him, so he’ll probably go to the Euros. But how big a part will he play?
18. Conor Gallagher (UP TWO)
Conor Gallagher has been a regular for England and Chelsea this year, so his spot looks fairly stable, most likely as a back-up midfielder.
He was taken off at the break against Malta but had made an impact with some powerful bursts forward.
With some of his rivals really struggling for minutes and form at club level, his consistency with Chelsea should be enough for him.
Conor Gallagher is a dependable performer and benefits from some of his rivals struggling
19. Reece James (UP THREE)
Unless you’ve got a crystal ball, it’s hard to map out what Reece James’ next week will look like, let alone his next summer or decade.
The Chelsea skipper has well-documented injury issues but is now back and firing for the Blues, probably with a bit more fitness to gain.
Southgate did try to call up the full-back for this international break, but he declined because he wanted to spend time recovering. The England boss warned that ‘physical reliability is going to be really important’, and that is a challenge for him, but there’s no denying his dynamism.
20. Kalvin Phillips (DOWN FIVE)
While he was in the most recent England squad, Kalvin Phillips only played a few minutes and is almost single-handedly reducing the heating bills for Man City’s bench.
Southgate obviously trusts him despite his lack of game time, but with the emergence of Alexander-Arnold as a brilliant midfielder for England, he’s in more jeopardy than before.
He arguably needs a move in January just to get some consistent football under his belt. Newcastle are reportedly interested and that could be a good destination for him with Sandro Tonali’s ban and their injury problems.
Kalvin Phillips is a long-time favourite of Southgate but needs regular club football now
21. Ben Chilwell (DOWN TWO)
Yet another man whose international fate hangs in the balance amid serious injury concerns.
Ben Chilwell has been out since the end of September with a hamstring injury and is only expected back around mid-December. When he gets back, he’ll have Colwill to contend with for a starting spot.
He’s a good all-rounder and has had his moments with England, getting a goal against Andorra. But with likely just a couple of all-out left-backs in line to be taken, will he be one of them?
22. Sam Johnstone (UP FOUR)
Hasn’t put a foot wrong for England. Four times Sam Johnstone has featured between the sticks, and four clean sheets he has kept.
Along with Nick Pope he leads the Premier League’s clean sheet charts with five and has consistently earned call-ups this year.
With Aaron Ramsdale’s starting spot snatched away at Arsenal, and Pope struggling to convince Southgate, he looks a good shout to be Pickford’s deputy at the Euros.
Sam Johnstone leads the league in clean sheets and hasn’t conceded in four England outings
23. Jarrod Bowen (UP EIGHT)
Few men in English football are seeing their stock rise so rapidly. Few men in English football, if any, look so likely to scorch the net when they cut in on their left foot.
Jarrod Bowen’s haul of nine goals in 16 games for West Ham this season has seen him catapulted into the stratosphere. He faces stiff competition on the right flank but can also play down the middle, giving Southgate more reasons to pick him.
He didn’t get to feature this international break and withdrew injured before the North Macedonia game, and he has only played once for England this year, but on his club form he has to go to Germany.
24. Eberechi Eze (DOWN ONE)
Crystal Palace recently tied down their star man on a new £100,000-per-week deal, and it’s little wonder as the vultures swoop for him. The Eagles don’t want to be prey.
Eze brings something different – that uncaged, free-form, thinking in multi-colour football style that knows no bounds. Of course, he’s also got a football brain and discipline, but there’s little better delight and surprise than watching Eze on the ball.
That said, he hasn’t been in the last couple of England squads and with fierce competition, there’s no guarantee that he’d go to Germany. He could do to step up a record of two goals in seven games this season.
Eberechi Eze hasn’t made the last two England squads but Crystal Palace value him very highly
25. Ollie Watkins (DOWN ONE)
That performance against North Macedonia will hurt. Eleven touches, pulled at half-time, replaced by a man who forced a goal inside 40 seconds.
Realistically, Ollie Watkins deserves to be higher on this list because he has already hit 11 goals this campaign and got the winner for England against Australia in October.
But there’s a nagging ‘what if?’ because of the existence of Callum Wilson, also in stellar form, and Ivan Toney, who returns to action form his betting ban in the new year.
The race to be Harry Kane’s understudy is well and truly alive, unfinished business, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can claim to have a foot in that sprint, also.
26. Fikayo Tomori (UP TWO)
Southgate put Fikayo Tomori at left-back against Malta and it didn’t quite go to plan. He was booked and then hooked at the break.
He is clearly a vital player for AC Milan and helped them reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.
However, his England career has never quite taken off – he’s only managed five caps ever since his debut in 2019.
Fikayo Tomori was not able to reflect his full ability playing out of position against Malta
27. Lewis Dunk (DOWN SIX)
Lewis Dunk is back from the England wilderness. Having picked up a cap in 2018, half a decade followed until he got his next two this year.
He has overcome setbacks and battled his way from League One with Brighton, even going on loan to Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian League.
Dunk had to withdraw from the most recent England squad with injury and with Brighton’s form taking a hit – they’ve won two of their last ten – he will have to battle hard to be one of the top four centre-backs.
28. Rico Lewis (UP ELEVEN)
What a debut Rico Lewis had. The Man City left-back was England’s best player against North Macedonia and kept his chin up after a harsh penalty was given against him.
His promise is clear. After City beat Liverpool 3-2 in the Carabao Cup last season, Pep Guardiola said: ‘We are incredibly lucky to have this player for the next decade.’ That signals their intentions with this catalytic full-back.
Lewis looks like a player beyond his years and was right at home with England, almost scoring inside three minutes. With injuries to more senior left-backs, could he make the position his own?
Rico Lewis won Player of the Match on his England debut, capitalising on senior injuries
29. Callum Wilson (UP THREE)
Newcastle’s front man is doing everything he can to win a place in this England side. Eighteen goals last season and now seven in 14 games in 2023/24. There’s little more he can do.
The competition with Ollie Watkins will likely only reward one soul but it could go either way. Wilson’s turn of pace is exceptional, while Watkins’ finishing is slightly better, but besides that there is little to separate them.
In another world, with no Harry Kane, Southgate would be snapping your hand off to have a Champions League striker in his squad.
Wilson made the World Cup squad and performed off the bench against Iran, assisting Jack Grealish. But in Southgate’s current thinking, Watkins is ahead.
30. Aaron Ramsdale (DOWN FIVE)
Almost a title-winning goalkeeper last season, now struggling to get a game. That is the unfortunate reality that Aaron Ramsdale is in.
The 25-year-old has every chance of going to Germany as Southgate will take three goalkeepers, but the England manager warned: ‘There is a reality as a ‘keeper. If we get to March and he’s six months without playing regularly, then I’m never going to promise things that I couldn’t guarantee delivering.’
If he lacks first-team action, it will be hard to justify taking him over a strong Pope. He will play in Arsenal’s next game as David Raya can’t play against his parent club, Brentford, but from there it is unclear how prominently he will feature.
Aaron Ramsdale is in the England mix but a lack of game time for Arsenal could cost him
31. Anthony Gordon (UP FIVE)
Southgate has insisted that Anthony Gordon is ‘very close’ to an England call-up after his improving form with Newcastle.
Gordon has four goals to his name this season and has settled in much better following his £40m move from Everton in January, but the attacking ranks are overflowing with quality players.
He already has Euros-winning experience with the U21s from the summer, but he will need to prove that his current purple patch isn’t a flash in the pan to dislodge established England regulars.
32. Raheem Sterling (UP ONE)
This isn’t good reading for Raheem Sterling: he hasn’t been in the last five England squads.
Southgate says the door is open for him, but it is hard to work out where that door is, how he might go through it, and who would have to waddle out of it to make way for Sterling.
He has been one of Chelsea’s shining lights in a dismal season at Stamford Bridge. Sterling has achieved so much with England – we’re talking about a man with 82 caps who has been a key part of the last five tournament squads. But he is out of favour and faces an uphill battle to change Southgate’s mind.
Raheem Sterling has been one of Chelsea’s better players this season but hasn’t made the last five England squads
33. Levi Colwill (DOWN SIX)
Levi Colwill hasn’t done much wrong to merit falling eight places, and that is more of a reflection of the lively waters of competition across the pitch.
He made his international debut against Australia in October and would have been in the squad once again were it not for injury.
With Chilwell soon back in the Chelsea fold, much of his England fate will depend on his ability to keep the more senior full-back at bay on the domestic scene – it could be a direct scrap between them to deputise for Luke Shaw.
34. Nick Pope (NON-MOVER)
Ah, Nick Pope. Forgive the goalkeeping pun, but you start to wonder if his England future is out of his hands.
The Newcastle custodian had the best save percentage of any English goalkeeper in the last three Premier League seasons. And who has the best percentage this season? You guessed it – Pope!
Obviously, such stats only tell a limited story. Southgate favours the distribution of Pickford and has not played Pope since he stepped in for the Everton ‘keeper against Italy and Germany in September 2022.
Still, for such a fantastic shot stopper, it feels harsh that he is ostracised.
Nick Pope is the best English shot stopper but there are questions about his distribution
35. Cole Palmer (NEW ENTRY)
What a time to be Cole Palmer. Chelsea’s prodigy, or rather Man City’s prodigy who they foolishly let go to Chelsea, can do no wrong at the moment.
For City and Chelsea he has six goals this season, four of which have been penalties for the Blues. He has taken on the mantle of responsibility and handled it superbly.
He made two substitute appearances in the last international break, and on his debut against Malta he had flashes of good play. If he continues to be a leading man for a club the size of Chelsea, he could well be in Euros contention come summer.
36. Eddie Nketiah (DOWN SIX)
Eddie Nketiah has led the line well for Arsenal this campaign and was rewarded with his England debut in October against Australia.
That said, he is not as prolific as his competitors and is therefore down the pecking order. Arsenal are still trying to work out if they have a 20-goal-per-season striker on their hands – the most the 24-year-old marksman has managed so far is ten.
A hat-trick against Sheffield United showed what he is capable of, but with Watkins and Wilson in scintillating form, a Euros spot will likely be a step too far for Nketiah.
Eddie Nketiah has done well to break into the England set-up in a crowded field of strikers
37. Mason Mount (DOWN EIGHT)
Manchester United has been described as a ‘graveyard’ of a club this season, and you wonder how Mason Mount feels about that.
Once an England shoe-in, he hasn’t pulled on the national strip since the World Cup and a fresh start at United has not produced the form to break back into the set-up.
But that’s not the full story, is it? Mount played in excess of 50 games per season for Chelsea for three years, and it seems to have taken its toll. In 2023 he has had four injuries, seeing him miss a total of 19 games.
Mount is only 24. He’ll be back in an England shirt, but he’s got some work to do to make the Euros.
38. Ezri Konsa (NEW ENTRY)
Debuting at number 38 in the charts is Ezri Konsa!
He has been a dependable presence for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa – he didn’t miss a single Premier League game last season and has been coached by nobody other than England legend John Terry.
While he was driving to go on holiday to Dubai, he received a call to say he was in the latest England squad. And while he didn’t make an appearance, that will be a valuable experience which will inspire him. Can he make the Euros squad? He’s got a way to go, but we’ll see. He’s highly thought-of.
Ezri Konsa was given his first taste of an England camp after his strong form with Aston Villa
39. James Ward-Prowse (DOWN FOUR)
After so many rejections, surely this would be the time he breaks in again. But no. When Southgate unveiled his latest England squad, complete with wet-behind-the-ears debutants, James Ward-Prowse was nowhere to be seen.
He is the best set-piece taker in English football but to much bemusement has not made an England squad since June 2022. Not even nine assists since his summer move to West Ham have swayed Southgate’s judgement.
The midfield ahead of him is crammed with options that Southgate simply prefers more, though he is no England newbie with 11 caps to his name. It’s hard to see Southgate picking him, and he can always claim to have almost equally brilliant dead-ball specialists in Alexander-Arnold and Trippier.
40. Ivan Toney (NEW ENTRY)
Bit of a stab in the dark, this one, but can anyone see Ivan Toney returning from his betting ban in irrepressible form?
Toney is an explosive player and scored 20 goals last season for Brentford. Perhaps his club style is far-fetched from the style Southgate wants, but if you’re chasing a game, Toney is one of the best men you could bring on. He can blitz past defences.
It will be intriguing to see how quickly he can spring back to his best when he reignites his career in January. Chelsea and Arsenal are targeting him for around £100m and he did make his England debut earlier this year – let’s see if the Euros are a leap too far.
Will Ivan Toney be able to recover the form that previously impressed Southgate so much?
