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Larger squad announced amid injury woes
It was announced on Monday evening that Gareth Southgate would refrain from naming his 26 man squad for the European Championships as had been planned, and would instead name a larger “provisional” squad and then cut it down.
This is in no small part due to the injury concerns that surround high profile players- Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips are all in various stages of recovering from injury, and will be included in the provisional squad with the aim of allowing them to prove their fitness ahead of the tournament.
This has meant that Southgate has opted for a 33-man squad to begin with, before eventually having to cut it down to 23 ahead of the June 1st deadline.
Ahead of naming his final #EURO2020 squad next week, Gareth Southgate has selected 33 players to join up with the #ThreeLions from this weekend as our preparations for this summer’s tournament get under way.
— England (@England) May 25, 2021
Tomori overlooked as White and Godfrey included
In perhaps one of the most confusing selection aspects, Southgate has chosen to overlook centre-back Fikayo Tomori, currently at AC Milan.
Tomori has been impressive in Italy, helping Il Rossoneri return to the Champions League for the first time since 2013/14, and there is an expectation that he will make his loan move to Milan permanent this summer.
Nothing against Ben Godfrey or Ben White at all – both had v good seasons. But if they are in Southgate’s 34, along with Coady and Dier (who have not had v good seasons), then I just won’t understand it if Konsa, Tarkowski and Tomori are all left out.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 25, 2021
Although he has played roughly half the number of games this season as White and Godfrey, Tomori has exceeded them in defensive metrics. The 23-year-old makes more tackles and interceptions per 90 than both his fellow defenders, while he is also dribbled past half as often as White. [All stats taken from Fbref. A full comparison of the three is available here].
No place for Bamford:
Another player that can feel hard done by today is Patrick Bamford. The Leeds United striker has been in superb form this season, netting 17 times in his 38 appearances in the Pemier League and helping his side to a ninth placed finish in their first season back in the top flight.
However, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been preferred to Bamford, with Dominic Calvert Lewin also retaining his place in Southgate’s side despite tailing off towards the end of the season.
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