The 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euros 2020 or simply Euro 2020, is scheduled to be the 16th UEFA European Championship. Delayed to this summer because of COVID-19, Gareth Southgate’s men start their campaign on the 13th of June against Croatia.
Due to West Ham’s form over the season many of their players will be on Southgate’s watchlist as the season draws to a close. Below I discuss the West Ham players who are English chances of making the England squad.
Nailed on
Declan Rice – Providing that he is fit in time for the tournament he is the most likely Hammers player to make Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad. Declan Rice is central to West Ham’s first team and them doing well on the pitch with him being one of their standout performers alongside Jesse Lingard. The midfielder picked up two back-to-back man o the match in England’s latest round of World Cup Qualification fixtures.
Gareth Southgate had this to say about Declan Rice: “He’s a fantastic player to work with and he really wants to learn and improve. To be captain of his club at such a young age tells you all you need to know really about his personality and his character”. Southgate added: “He’s played some good qualifiers for us now as well, so we’re building those experiences with him and he’s been a very important player for us over the last couple of years.”
Clearly Southgate is a fan of West Ham’s 22-year-old, and is a no brainier for not only a spot in the 23, but a starting role in the heart of the midfield this summer.
Injury call-up
Jesse Lingard – There is a possibility that he will end up making the 23-man squad, but it will be tough given the quality of players England have that play in his position. Any other major tournament and Lingard is a shoe in, but he likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and James Maddison are just a handful of players who can occupy the number 10 role.
Lingard does have versatility on his side and can also operate in the wide areas, unfortunately this another of England’s deepest areas of the field as they boast talent such as Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling. Despite the fierce competition Lingard is trying to force his way onto the plane and is making a good case for himself with eight goals and three assists since joining West Ham in January.
Outside shot.
Aaron Cresswell – Aaron Cresswell is unlikely to make the 23-man squad as a left back as he has competition from the likes of Luke Shaw and Ben Chillwell. Luke Shaw has been one of Manchester United standout performers and was recently called up to the England squad for March international break. Creswell has shown to be able to play well as the left side of a back-three too, which is a system Southgate likes to play, but it would still take multiple injuries to get Creswell on the plane.
Jarrod Bowen – Another Englishman enjoying a great season is Jarred Bowen. It is however unlikely that he will make the England squad given that competition comes from the likes of Sancho, Rashford and Grealish and West Ham team-mate Lingard.
Craig Dawson – Dawson has surprised a lot of people this season. Not many expected the 30-year-old to look as solid as he has for West Ham, combine this with the fact that he is uncapped at and aging, and the odds are stacked against him.
