Introduction

England's squad for the European Championship has been announced, and fans and pundits alike are scrutinizing every element of it. Manager Gareth Southgate has named his final 26-man squad for the tournament, which is set to begin on June 11. Here is a breakdown of the players who made the cut, and what they could bring to the team's prospects.

The Goalkeepers

The three keepers in the team are Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, and Sam Johnstone. Pickford is the most experienced of the three and started every game for England in the 2018 World Cup. Henderson has had a strong season on loan at Manchester United, and Johnstone has impressed for West Brom. Southgate will need to choose carefully to ensure the best fit in goal, as it is a key position in a tournament like this.

The Defenders

In defense, Southgate went with experience and versatility. Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Harry Maguire have been selected as the center-back options. Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady are also options in that position. As for left-backs, Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw will rival for that spot. Kieran Trippier and Reece James can both play on the right side, providing options for that position.

The Midfielders

In midfield, the main players are Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, and Kalvin Phillips. Jude Bellingham is the youngest player in the team at just 17 years old, and he has had an impressive debut season at Borussia Dortmund. Mason Mount and Jack Grealish have both had strong seasons at Chelsea and Aston Villa, respectively, and both will be hoping to make an impact in the tournament.

The Attackers

The most challenging decision for Southgate is picking his attacking options. Harry Kane is the first choice striker, but there are many options for the supporting roles. Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, and Jadon Sancho are all experienced in the team, while Phil Foden has had a breakthrough season at Manchester City. Mason Greenwood misses out, despite his impressive season for Manchester United.

The Conclusion

All in all, Southgate has chosen a strong, well-balanced team that has the right mix of youth and experience. England will hope to make a strong showing in the tournament, with their sights set on winning the trophy for the first time in their history. The players selected will need to work together as a unit and perform at their best if they want to achieve that goal.