He does not like it but the new 26-man allowance has at least spared Gareth Southgate the tough task of leaving out some very deserving candidates for Euro inclusion.
On the evidence of his most recent selection, Trent Alexander-Arnold would not make the cut and still might not if Southgate continues to prefer Reece James as an attacking option on the defensive right flank.
But the Liverpool right-back has done enough in recent club games to ease back ahead of James in my pecking order.
Southgate might well go with nine, or even ten, defenders but I’m taking a risk with eight and only three bona fide centre-backs, which is tough on Michael Keane and Conor Coady, in particular.
If injury strikes with some sort of vengeance, one of the holders can drop back or Kyle Walker could deputise in an emergency.
Eric Dier has served England well and is a Southgate favourite but he has simply been too unimpressive to warrant inclusion.
There is an obvious argument against taking three holding midfielders but Kalvin Phillips impresses with every passing week and Jordan Henderson’s match-readiness has to be taken on trust.
Who should be in the England squad? Who should miss out? Tell us in the comment section below
With the extra men, Jude Bellingham’s precocious talent makes him a useful wild card at the expense of James Maddison while Jesse Lingard is rewarded for his sparkling form since joining West Ham on loan.
Bukayo Saka is particularly unfortunate not to make the cut.
Up top, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford are shoo-ins but I’m having two back-ups and that was the trickiest selection issue.
Danny Ings, Patrick Bamford and Ollie Watkins all have solid claims but I’ve gone for Mason Greenwood, already one of the best finishers in the Premier League, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who can offer the target-man option.
Oh, and the three goalkeepers pick themselves.
My full 26-man squad:
Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson
Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw
Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, James Ward, Prowse, Jesse Lingard
Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Mason Greenwood, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Now choose your 26-man England squad here:
And don't forget to register with the Mirror and tell us who would be in your England squad for Euro 2020.
