The Great Debate: Who will change Southgate's mind ahead of Euro 2024? | OneFootball

It’s the international break and there are only a couple of them left before it’s time for Gareth Southgate names his squad for Euro 2024.

Inevitably, some in the current squad will not make the cut next summer and someone currently outside the squad will. After Raheem Sterling’s superb response to another snub, we’re asking what will change before England head off to Germany in the hope of being crowned European champions?

Alex Mott

Defence is arguably the biggest concern for England ahead of next summer’s tournament and it’s an area of the pitch where Gareth Southgate seems wedded to his old favourites.

Harry Maguire has rarely put a foot wrong for the Three Lions during his six years but his lack of pace could become a big issue against top sides who are good on the break.

That’s why one of Marc Guéhi, Levi Colwill or Fikayo Tomori have a chance of forcing Southgate’s arm to become a regular at the heart of the England defence.

Dan Burke

As a Manchester City fan, I’m hoping Southgate sees the light regarding Phil Foden between now and next summer. I feel like Foden has been underused by England at the last couple of tournaments but to be fair, his development has stalled a bit at club level in the last year or so, and it’s not easy to define what his best position is at the moment.

For me, Foden could be absolutely lethal if deployed in the middle and given license to come deep for the ball and dictate play. There aren’t many players better than him when it comes to wriggling out of tight spaces, but Pep Guardiola still seems a little unconvinced when it comes to playing him in the middle, so I don’t blame Southgate for being sceptical too.

Between now and the end of the season, I hope Foden nails down that central position for City, and Southgate has no choice but to start him there for England at the Euros.

Lewis Ambrose

Given his current form at Real Madrid, Southgate would be mad not to use Jude Bellingham further forward, right behind Harry Kane, next summer. Which leaves a question in midfield. Jordan Henderson still seems to be fancied but will turn 34 next summer and his ability to play every few days, after a year without playing elite-level club football, will be under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips can’t even get a sniff at Manchester City when Rodri is suspended.

So Southgate will surely turn to James Ward-Prowse to partner Declan Rice in midfield at some point? The 28-year-old is playing as well as ever, he helps defensively, and his set-piece threat could be tournament-defining in knockout football.

Adam Booker

Rico Lewis must be closer to the England team than we could have imagined this time last year as he works his way towards becoming a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s team.

Having moved from full-back into central midfield for recent games against RB Leipzig and Arsenal last weekend, Lewis showed just how highly valued he is by Guardiola. Speaking after City’s win against RB Leipzig last week, the City boss labelled the teenager “one of the best” players he’d ever coached. Considering he seems to be ahead of Kalvin Phillips in the City pecking order for the bigger games, it may not be a huge shock to see him squeeze past his Etihad running mate for the national team as well.

Emily Wilson

Injuries to Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell leave the Three Lions with no natural left-backs, and this is where Dan Burn could be an answer to a glaring issue.

One man who has been instrumental for Newcastle over the last season and a half is Dan Burn. He’ll be 32 by the time the Euros come around but still younger than a few English team-mates. Burn’s introduction would also provide an organised system on the flanks if club team-mate Kieran Trippier plays as a right-back.

The defender is a huge aerial threat — something Southgate is always keen to use — and the England boss recently acknowledged England’s depth at left-back is limited. If Burn’s form stays on course then, hey, why not?