Assuming the players are fit and available 14 months from now – and assuming of course that the Three Lions successfully qualify - it is entirely possible to predict the bulk of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
By forging a clear identity in recent years the manager has ensured that, to extent, it picks itself
There is always one player though who stands out in the season leading up to a major tournament, who makes themselves impossible to omit.
These five have every chance of being that player who gatecrashes the party.
Morgan Gibbs-White
The 23-year-old has shone in an otherwise tumultuous season for newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, carving out five assists and averaging two key passes per 90.
At £42.5m the former Wolves schemer was the most expensive of Forest’s multitude of summer signings but Steve Cooper wanted him badly, recognizing from their time working together at England youth levels what a serious talent he is.
This season he is proving that to everyone else.
Should the player continue to be instrumental in the top-flight he can very conceivably jump the queue and provide international cover for the likes of Jude Bellingham.
Solly March
A continuation of excellence is also needed from the Brighton winger whose elevation this term feels so pronounced and surprising it could be dismissed as an outlier.
A reliable performer for so many years at the Amex, March has become a real favourite of the football betting online community for his ability to conjure up a goal or assist, 13 all told with several games still to play.
Frankly, there has not been a more consistent and impactful wide-man in the Premier League post-Qatar and should that bleed into 2023/24 then international recognition awaits for a 28-year-old who probably felt his moment had passed.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Highly-rated at Manchester City, the youngster was loaned out to Burnley last summer to gain invaluable experience in the Championship. He has passed each test with flying colours.
A crucial factor in the Clarets gaining promotion, Harwood-Bellis’ ball-playing attributes from the back allies perfectly with Vincent Kompany’s ethos and there is nothing stopping him from fully realizing his potential bar an enforced return to his parent club, whereupon he will no doubt struggle to get first-team action.
Should Burnley find the ways and means to secure the 21-year-old he might well be fast-tracked into the Three Lions set-up, where top-class centre-backs are hardly abundant.
Folarin Balogun
An uninspiring loan move to Middlesbrough last year didn’t bode well for the Arsenal prospect but a subsequent temporary spell at Reims has seen him explode, with 18 goals seeing him out-score everyone in Ligue 1 but for Kylian Mbappe.
Regularly featuring in our European football tips, Balogun has proven on the continent that he can be a prolific presence at the highest levels.
Now comes the harder part of heading back to Arsenal and proving himself all over again.
If the 21-year-old is successful in this venture, then challenging Ivan Toney and co for an England spot is the natural next step.
James McAtee
“They’re all David Silva clones.”
That was Gary Neville on commentary, after seeing McAtee come on for Manchester City against Everton late in 2021, the youngster’s ball retention and movement reminiscent of the Spanish maestro.
A loan move to Sheffield United was designed to quicken McAtee’s development and that it surely has, with the attacking midfielder really impressing in the Championship. A terrific solo goal against Blackpool perhaps being the highlight.
Unquestionably, McAtee’s future includes an England cap or many, but the timescale is hazy right now. Where he ends up next season will inform that greatly.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
