How England’s Euros squad differs from Russia 2018

With the Euros just around the corner, Junaid Bashir compares the difference between this latest squad and the team we took to Russia in 2018.

Gareth Southgate has announced his squad of players for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament which is on the horizon. With that in mind, here is a review of the squad and a look at some of the differences between this team and the squad we took to Russia three years ago. 

Below is a list of players from both squads and which of the tournaments they featured in. All of the new players are listed in their respective positions below the World Cup 2018 list:

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland (World Cup 2018), Jordan Pickford (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020), Nick Pope (World Cup 2018), 

Dean Henderson (Euro 2020), Dean Henderson (Euro 2020)

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020), Danny Rose (World Cup 2018), Gary Cahill (World Cup 2018), Phil Jones (World Cup 2018), John Stones (World Cup 2018, Euro 2021), Harry Maguire (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020), Kyle Walker (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020), Kieran Trippier (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020)

Ben Chilwell (Euro 2020), Reece James (Euro 2020), Conor Coady (Euro 2020), Tyrone Mings (Euro 2020), Luke Shaw (Euro 2020). 

Midfielders

Ashley Young (World Cup 2018), Dele Alli (World Cup 2018), Fabian Delph (World Cup 2018), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (World Cup 2018), Eric Dier (World Cup 2018), Jesse Lingard (World Cup 2018), Jordan Henderson (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020), Raheem Sterling (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020)

Jude Bellingham (Euro 2020), Mason Mount (Euro 2020), Kalvin Phillips (Euro 2020), Declan Rice (Euro 2020). 

Attackers 

Jamie Vardy (World Cup 2018), Danny Welbeck (World Cup 2018), Marcus Rashford (World Cup 2018, Euro 2020), Harry Kane (World Cup 2018). 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Euro 2020), Phil Foden (Euro 2020), Jack Grealish (Euro 2020), Bukayo Saka (Euro 2020), Jadon Sancho (Euro 2020). 

Right, let’s make a start by noticing that thirteen players who initially featured in the World Cup will not take part in the Euros this year. There has been an array of changes to the squad with the likes of Ashley Young, Fabian Delph and Jamie Vardy all announcing retirement at international level after the 2018 World Cup. 

The 2018 World Cup squad heavily featured Tottenham Hotspur players, with Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier and Harry Kane all playing their parts in that impressive tournament where we reached the semi-finals. However, only one Spurs player remains in for the Euros (Harry Kane), with Kieran Trippier, our set-piece specialist, being an Atletico Madrid player and recent La Liga champion. 

Throughout the period of the last two years, there has been many changes to Southgate’s England, including the introduction of Jude Bellingham, our third youngest debutant ever. Jude came on for the final 17 minutes in a 3-0 friendly win over Ireland; having made just four Bundesliga appearances prior to his debut. Gareth Southgate definitely saw something in the young Birmingham-born midfielder. Bellingham looked like a natural as he stepped onto the Wembley turf, with manager Southgate speaking on his debut by saying: “You saw as it developed, he settled, and he got into the game. That’s the experience we wanted to give him.”

With a squad selection comes controversy or uproar. England fanatics on Twitter outlined their frustration after West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard was not featured in the squad. Since his loan move to West Ham from Manchester United in January, only Harry Kane (14) has been involved in more goals than Lingard (13). A highly successful loan move has restored Lingard’s confidence, which resulted in many fans thinking that he would certainly be on the way to the esteemed international tournament later this year. Sadly, it wasn’t to be for him.

Presenter, pundit and England legend Gary Lineker wished the best for this young and fierce England squad by saying:

Overall, this Three Lions squad oozes potential and has the capabilities to go very far in the tournament and beyond, with the average age of the squad being just 24.8 years and boasting the youngest selection of midfielders and attackers. We are certainly full of energy, enthusiasm and, of course, talent. The prospect of these young Lions looking to the future seems very exciting but it will have its drawbacks, in my opinion. I feel as though our inexperience at the highest level could cost us. There is no question all of these young players will blossom into world stars, but it might be a bit early to look towards glory. Having said that, my love for England will take over and I still believe we can reach the latter stages of the competition and make the semi-finals like we did in Russia. Best of luck to the England boys!

IT’S COMING HOME. 

By Junaid Bashir – Check out Junaid’s blog here

Posted by Junaid Bashir

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