No sane coach could countenance leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold - a winner - out of their European Championship squad.
I’m trusting to luck that Gareth Southgate hasn’t taken leave of his senses and will definitely be taking the Liverpool right-back in his 26.
After a season soaked in injuries, illness and emotional upheaval, Liverpool have now won six of their last eight to put themselves in good shape to take the fight for a top four place to the final day of the season.
During that run Alexander Arnold has shown character to respond after being dropped from the national side, superb crossing ability (which he has never lost) and hit a crucial, last-minute winner to beat Aston Villa.
Not only would it be fickle to leave out a guy whose consistency has helped Liverpool to a Champions League and a Premier League title in the last three years. It would also be madness.
The three goalkeepers pick themselves - I’d probably start the first game with Henderson or Pope.
Any team that wins a major tournament needs a strong defence. Southgate and England need every piece of defensive weaponry they can lay their hands on. Kyle Walker or Trent, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Luke Shaw would be the best back-four available, I'd also take Kieran Trippier, Tyrone Mings and Ben Chilwell.
Bukayo Saka would get in to provide some x-factor. Because why not? Surrounded by far superior quality with England than he carries on his back far too often at Arsenal, his versatility at left-back, left wing-back- with three centre-backs - and even further forward, could see him enjoy himself at the Championships.
Midfield is interesting. I have zero doubts about the quality of Jack Grealish. He is an outstanding talent who would walk into the squad if 100 percent fit - but will he be 100 percent fit by the time the first game comes around? Google Rooney, Beckham in major tournaments and you’ll see that you can’t carry passengers against international sides ready to run for their lives. Much as we love him, the same would apply to Jordan Henderson who hasn’t played since February. Of the two I’ll include Grealish only because I think Southgate will.
Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips is the most suited to take Henderson’s place and although Eric Dier hasn’t had a great season he’d be in too as a midfielder. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham would also be in with Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho. I’d also take Jesse Lingard after his flurry of goals showed this season he has lost none of his pace (Southgate loves his quick players) or composure in front of goal.
The strikers pick themselves after productive seasons for all of them. Harry Kane is a given. Marcus Rashford is another option out wide as well as through the middle. With 25 goals for club and country Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had an outstanding season and with Mason Greenwood’s fine end of season form – eight goals in his last 13 games – gets him in. As does his ability to play anywhere across the front line.
Do you agree? Who would make your 26-man squad? Let us know via our squad selector here:
My full 26-man squad:
Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope
Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, Bukayo Saka
Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Eric Dier, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Jesse Lingard
Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Greenwood
