'The hardest position to pick': England boss Gareth Southgate explains tough squad decision
Southgate has picked his 25-man roster for the Three Lions' opening two Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures later this month
England manager Gareth Southgate has opened up about what he feels is "the hardest position to pick" after naming his latest Three Lions squad.
Southgate unveiled his 25-man selection for England's first two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine next week, and there are a few notable absentees.
But while Raheem Sterling, for example, misses out due to doubts over his fitness – Southgate confirmed that he would have included the Chelsea forward otherwise – the simple fact of stiff competition has necessitated some big calls elsewhere, namely in the right-back department.
Asked by reporters about the omission of Arsenal's Ben White and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold – both of whom were included in England's 2022 World Cup squad – Southgate explained:
"With Ben and Trent, we have three boys in at right full-back and we have got them just ahead of those two. We're blessed in that position with depth of talent; it is the hardest position to pick."
Kieran Trippier has made the cut again, as has Kyle Walker – despite currently being investigated by police after allegedly indecently exposing himself at a bar earlier this month – while Reece James returns to the fold after missing the World Cup through injury.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney could make his international debut after being called up for the second time – although the Brentford striker faces a potential ban having accepted numerous breaches of FA betting rules – and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi is back in the squad.
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England play Italy in Naples next Thursday, before hosting Ukraine at Wembley three days later.
North Macedonia and Malta complete Group C of qualifying for next year's Euros in Germany.
Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...