On Tuesday, the England national team manager, Gareth Southgate, announced the squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament. The squad is a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, and Southgate will be hoping to lead England to their first major tournament victory since the 1966 World Cup.
Experienced Veterans
The England squad features a number of experienced players who have been a mainstay in the national team for several years. Some of the notable names in this category include Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson, and Raheem Sterling. These players have been instrumental in previous tournaments and will be expected to lead by example once again.
Maguire, in particular, will be crucial to England's defense. The Manchester United center-back has had an excellent season and will be the anchor of England's backline. Meanwhile, Sterling will be looking to continue his fine form for Manchester City, where he has been a key player in their recent domestic success.
Promising Young Talent
Southgate has also included several young players who have impressed in the Premier League this season. One of the most exciting prospects is Bukayo Saka, who has had a breakout season for Arsenal. Saka can play in a variety of positions and will give Southgate plenty of options in attack.
Mason Mount is another young player who has been included in the squad. The Chelsea midfielder has been in excellent form this season and was a key player in their Champions League victory. Mount has an eye for goal and can also create chances for his teammates.
The Goalkeepers
The England goalkeeping situation has been a topic of much debate in recent months. However, Southgate has opted to include Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, and Sam Johnstone in his squad. Pickford has been the undisputed number one for England in recent years, but his performances for Everton have been inconsistent this season.
Henderson has been excellent for Manchester United but has only recently regained his place in the side following a long layoff due to injury. Johnstone has been one of the standout performers for West Brom this season, despite their relegation to the Championship.
Overall, the England squad looks strong on paper and has a good balance of experience and youth. Southgate will be hoping that his players can deliver on the big stage and bring home the trophy that has eluded England for so long.