The dust has now settled on the qualification campaign, but that means the build-up for Euro 2020 properly ratchets up.

As expected, England breezed through the qualification stages, beating the likes of Montenegro, Bulgaria, Kosovo and the Czech Republic to the top of Group A.

They scored 37 goals in a record-breaking qualification campaign, with Harry Kane top scoring with 12 – one more than Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

So, beyond being confirmed as seeds for a tournament they will effectively host, where are England at?

What bodes well for the summer, what needs to be worked on for the summer?

England squad ranked and rated Show all 48 1 /48 England squad ranked and rated England squad ranked and rated England have secured qualification for Euro 2020 next summer by topping Group A – but which players will Gareth Southgate pick for the tournament?



The England manager has selected a number of different players over the last two years, with competition for places arguably fiercer now than it ever has been before.



Here, we rank the players who have a chance of making the 23-man squad this summer, from least to most likely. England squad ranked and rated 47. Tom Heaton Suffered an ACL knee injury that scuppers his Euro 2020 hopes. REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 46. Phil Foden Has repeatedly dazzled for the Under-21’s and Gareth Southgate has insisted the Manchester City man is in his plans. But it will be difficult for Southgate to justify selecting him when he so rarely plays for his club. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 45. Reece James Yet to win a senior cap. Is enjoying a fine season for Chelsea but far down the pecking order at this point. Getty England squad ranked and rated 44. Brandon Williams Yet to win a senior cap. But with Danny Rose struggling for form and Luke Shaw struggling for fitness, could he zoom up the order to serve as Ben Chilwell’s deputy? Getty England squad ranked and rated 43. James Ward-Prowse Made his first competitive appearance for England during the Euro 2020 qualification campaign, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 5-1 win over Montenegro. But competition for a midfield spot in the final squad is incredibly fierce. AFP/Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 42. Nathan Redmond Was called up to England’s squad for the Nations League finals but was cut ahead of the semi-final defeat by the Netherlands. It would take a remarkable season with Southampton for him to force his way into contention. REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 41. Fabian Delph Gareth Southgate rates him highly but the Everton midfielder turns 30 this month and could yet miss out to younger players. He will have rued withdrawing from England’s most recent matches through injury, only to see Harry Winks play so well. AFP/Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 40. Luke Shaw Has a good chance of overhauling Danny Rose in the final 23-man squad – but must first work his way up to full fitness. Another player who is plagued by injuries. REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 39. Danny Ings His sole England cap came in a 3-0 win over Lithuania in 2015. However, the Southampton striker is enjoying a superb campaign and is one of the Premier League's top scorers. Getty England squad ranked and rated 38. James Tarkowski Placed on standby for the 2018 World Cup. But has fallen down the pecking order in recent months. Only likely to make the final list if other defenders suffer injuries. EPA England squad ranked and rated 37. Jesse Lingard Was one of England’s best players in Russia. But has suffered a startling fall from grace since. Left out of the most recent England squad, and he has a fight on his hands to retain his Manchester United starting place. Up against it. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 36. Jamie Vardy Jamie Vardy effectively retired from international football in August 2018. But with Harry Kane now in a race to be fit for the tournament, could he reverse that decision if called upon? Gareth Southgate meanwhile said in November 2019: “We know his quality. I have always left that opportunity open.” Getty England squad ranked and rated 35. Adam Lallana Once a regular England starter. But his career has always been blighted by injury and now a bit-part player for Liverpool, at best. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 34. Aaron Wan Bissaka The 21-year-old is still waiting on his full international debut. A prodigious talent – but currently behind the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker in the pecking order. PA England squad ranked and rated 33. Callum Wilson Scored his first goal for England in a friendly against the United States and has been on the fringes of the squad ever since. But could fall victim of Gareth Southgate’s likely strategy of listing as many midfielders as possible. REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 32. Jack Butland Rockets up the order on account of Tom Heaton's injury. Now England's fourth-choice. PA England squad ranked and rated 31. Michael Keane Was given a number of chances for England during the Euro 2020 qualification campaign but never looked particularly assured and has now fallen behind both Tyrone Mings and Fikayo Tomori in the pecking order. Could be destined for a spot on the standby list. PA England squad ranked and rated 30. Jack Grealish Still waiting on his first England call-up. It’s going to be very difficult for him to jump the lengthy queue for a space among England’s midfielders, particularly as Gareth Southgate does not often play with a traditional No 10. But he is playing exceptionally well and could feature in the forthcoming friendlies. Getty England squad ranked and rated 29. Eric Dier Has endured a miserable time since the 2018 World Cup. Suffered from a perforated and infected appendix last December which kept him out for months longer than anticipated and has been in underwhelming form ever since. But he is finally back for Tottenham and his versatility makes him the perfect tournament player. Don’t bet against him. PA England squad ranked and rated 28. Dele Alli Like Jesse Lingard, Dele is a 2018 World Cup regular who now stands a very real chance of missing out on his place at the Euros. Has finally returned for Tottenham and is showing glimpses of his old form, but he is already in a race against time to win back his place in this squad. PA England squad ranked and rated 27. Kyle Walker He was not selected for England’s most recent qualifiers. The move away from a three-man defence has not helped his cause and he is now likely in a straight battle with Kieran Trippier for a place in the squad. REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 26. Fikayo Tomori Gareth Southgate is a huge fan. The 21-year-old needs to continue impressing for Chelsea to stake his claim for a place. It’s unlikely both him and Joe Gomez will be selected. AFP via Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 25. Ruben Loftus-Cheek One of England’s most injury-prone players. He is essential to the style of football Gareth Southgate wants to play – but can he stay fit? If he manages to, he has a very good chance of being selected. AFP/Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 24. James Maddison So talented. And so integral to Leicester City’s success this season. But he is not a natural fit for Gareth Southgate’s England. Faces a real battle to be selected – with Southgate consistently selecting Mason Mount ahead of him. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 23. Danny Rose Has been desperately poor for both club and country in recent weeks and has certainly lost his first-team place to Leicester’s Ben Chilwell. But England are not blessed with that many options in his position, and he is still likely to make the cut. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 22. Declan Rice The West Ham midfielder looked like the answer to England’s midfield woes last season. But the 20-year-old has made an inauspicious start to the new season. The recent win over Montenegro appeared to prove he cannot play in the same midfield as Harry Winks – although it would still be a surprise if he was to miss out, given how prominent a role he has played in qualifying. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 21. Tyrone Mings The Aston Villa defender has impressed when called upon for England and – barring a disastrous relegation with Aston Villa – will likely make the final squad. Whether he can supplant John Stones in the starting XI is another matter. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 20. Ross Barkley Another Chelsea midfielder who is a favourite of Gareth Southgate. Another Chelsea midfielder who persistently struggles to maintain his fitness. The England manager likely hopes to select both Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. But the odds of that surely aren’t favorable. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 19. Joe Gomez Could the most recent international break have gone any worse for poor Joe Gomez? After scrapping with Raheem Sterling and being booed by his own supporters, Gomez had to pull out of the Kosovo match through injury. But he is adored by Gareth Southgate and is currently ahead of Fikayo Tomori in the pecking order. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 18. Dean Henderson Benefitted from Tom Heaton’s recent withdrawal from the squad. Has little chance of actually playing at Euro 2020 – but could be included in the squad for his development, particularly if he continues to impress for Sheffield United. Action Images via Reuters England squad ranked and rated 17. Callum Hudson-Odoi Was selected to start for England against Kosovo. One for the future, certainly, but the 19-year-old promises to be an electric option from the bench. EPA England squad ranked and rated 16. Nick Pope Undoubtedly England’s back-up goalkeeper. Only injury will see him miss out. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 15. Kieran Trippier Ahead of Kyle Walker in the England pecking order – for now. Has been in good form for Atlético Madrid and will need to maintain this level if he is to retain his place in the 23. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 14. Mason Mount His ascent has been rapid. Already ahead of the likes of Dele, James Maddison and Jesse Lingard in the England pecking order. If he can keep playing well for Chelsea, he’s in. EPA England squad ranked and rated 13. Tammy Abraham The Chelsea striker is enjoying a breakthrough season, but it will be hard – if not impossible – for him to overthrow Harry Kane in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI. However, England do not have too many top-class strikers and his place in this squad already appears safe. AFP via Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 12. Harry Kane England's captain and influential leader. But the 2018 World Cup golden boot winner suffered a hamstring injury on New Years' Day and is now in a race of time to be fit. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 11. Harry Winks Whether he can win a place in Gareth Southgate’s preferred XI or not is another matter. But Harry Winks shone for England against Kosovo and offers his country something genuinely different in the middle of the field. AFP via Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 10. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain At present, it looks as though his place in England’s three-man midfield is assured. The worry is whether he can remain fit… REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 9. Jadon Sancho One of the truly positive developments in the months since the 2018 World Cup. Already one of England’s most exciting players. Could yet become one of the best in the world. There is little chance he isn’t selected. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 8. John Stones It’s not beyond the realms of possibility he will lose his starting place to Tyrone Mings, particularly if his form continues to frustrate - but he'll be in the squad at least. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 7. Trent Alexander-Arnold It has taken longer than most people expected, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is finally England’s first choice right-back. As he should be. Action Images via Reuters England squad ranked and rated 6. Marcus Rashford Has perhaps not kicked on in the way England would have hoped since the 2018 World Cup. But he will still be crucial next summer. Battling Jadon Sancho for a starting role up front with England’s two best players: Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. EPA England squad ranked and rated 5. Ben Chilwell Has surpassed Danny Rose as England’s first choice left-back. Has been in fine form this season and will be hoping to announce his arrival on the international stage at Euro 2020. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 4. Jordan Henderson One of Gareth Southgate’s dressing room leaders and potential captain. A certain pick. Action Images via Reuters England squad ranked and rated 3. Jordan Pickford There is close to zero chance of him losing his place in England’s starting XI – let alone their 23-man squad. REUTERS England squad ranked and rated 2. Harry Maguire England’s best defender on current form. A certain starter and an increasingly influential player. Getty Images England squad ranked and rated 1. Raheem Sterling So long as he avoids scratching any more of his team-mates, England’s best player is likely to be named in the final 23-man squad. Action Images via Reuters

What’s looking good…

The scoring

Kane was Europe’s top goalscorer (Getty)

This was something that Gareth Southgate made specific mention of after the win over Montenegro, and seems most special to him. He took real pride in how they regularly ripped teams to shreds, likening it to so many German campaigns.

For Southgate, it seems, this kind of next-level ruthlessness is what really elevates the elite sides. They are certainly next-level figures. England ended the campaign with 37 goals in eight games, making it an average of over 4.6 a match. That is genuinely exceptional, all the more so given the opening spells of games weren’t all that convincing.

It points to something that is really relevant about this record. No matter how England are playing, they just have that capacity – and that number of exciting attacking players – to suddenly rip backlines to shreds. It means they will be alive in any game, against any opposition, no matter how much, say, they’re struggling in position.

This England will always have a chance – because they’re capable of taking any chance. It is related to two other positives…

The development of Raheem Sterling

Sterling has been in superb form (Reuters)

One of the reasons the last week’s controversy was all the more pronounced – and almost demanded that severity of punishment – was because of Sterling’s status in the team. He has grown into an influential figure for so many of his teammates, and it is something that has gone alongside his growth as a forward.

It has been as fast his own ability to accelerate. Even in the space of a year and half, Sterling has gone from a brilliant winger, to the kind of all-round forward that pretty much runs a game and a team. He is a true leader in that way, too.

One of his moments of the campaign was in the home game against Kosovo, a Paul Gascoigne-like turn and run that – of course – set up a goal. And you only have to look at his response in Pristina. After a difficult week, and at a genuinely tense moment of the game given it was only 1-0, Sterling supplied two assists.

The expansion of the wide forwards

Sancho is now a first-team regular (Getty)

Sterling leads the way in another manner, and it is an area where England lead the way. He set the trend for this new style of wide forward the country produces, that the current squad produces in abundance.

It genuinely now feels like England’s version of Spain’s passing midfielders, or Uruguay’s centre-halves. And it is already known that it is the envy of other big nations, since so many German clubs have been trying to sign players like Callum Hudson-Odoi to plug blind spots in their own development structures.

The Chelsea winger is of course just another flying forward fighting for a place alongside Sterling with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. You could even add Ross Barkley, Mason Mount and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as modern mobile forwards, if not quite blessed with the pace of their wide teammates.

It is still a potential, however, that gives England such attacking thrust. In Southgate’s words, they possess the “speed, movement, speed of ball circulation” to “carves those teams apart”.

Team solidity

The squad is behind Southgate (PA)

This applies to both the spirit of the team, and the structure. One of the reasons that Southgate felt the need to punish Sterling in the first place was because he couldn’t allow his most influential player to so break from the harmonious atmosphere he has worked hard to engender. And that atmosphere has stayed intact at the end of this campaign, ironically strengthened by the whole incident due to players rallying around Joe Gomez after he was booed at Wembley.

It means that, at least psychologically, there are links and a level of cohesion to the whole squad.

That will help deepening the links in how the team works, although they’re not quite there yet. Work needs to be done. What is key, however, is that this campaign has at least allowed Southgate to settle on his best formation. He is now clear it must be a 4-3-3, all the more so because of the abundance of wide forwards. He just needs to solve some other issues within it…

What needs to be worked on

The central midfield issue

What is England’s best midfield? (Getty)

One problem still hasn’t gone away, and actually only became more pronounced in the middle of the campaign when England lost to Netherlands in the Nations League. It’s in some ways an unsolvable problem in the short-term. England still don’t really have a player like Frenkie de Jong, like Luka Modric, like Thiago Alcantara. They don’t have that key midfielder who puts his foot on the ball, and dictates possession and effectively the way the entire team plays.

It remains a very big problem, given how integral it is to how international football works. And, while it remains, it feels like England are going to need a lot of luck – or maybe just a lot of breaks to run – in any big game against big opposition. Because they just won’t have the same control of the ball, or thereby the game.

Declan Rice isn’t really a midfielder in that regard. Harry Winks is good but is more someone to be set alongside such a player. It does still seem like Southgate is going to have to come up with something creative to get around it, which leads to the next issue…

The arrangement of that central midfield

Oxlade-Chamberlain has boosted his chances (Getty)

In the eight different games of this campaign, Southgate has started with seven different midfield combinations, which points to the issue that it’s still difficult to know what the best combination is. The problem is not the one in central defence, where it is like the quality or form of potential partners for Harry Maguire has dropped it off. It is actually that there is a considerable amount of quality, but it’s difficult to now how to arrange it to maximise the abilities there and cover for some of the weaknesses.

It is possible we may not have even seen the best yet, which currently feels – in terms of balance, and different qualities – Winks, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson. Or maybe play James Maddison that bit further back? This is one of many questions Southgate has to work out, to get around the problem of other big countries moving the ball around better.

The “sloppy goals”

The defence needs work (Getty)

This is admittedly something that is connected to possession and control of the game, but it’s equally impossible to avoid the issue that England do look that bit less solid at the back.

They’ve been giving up more chances, and can very suddenly look very open. Part of that is that drop-off among the centre-halves, but with Southgate insisting they won’t now deviate from the 4-3-3 to cover it, it is a problem that must be solved. Can Tyrone Mings grow? Should Rice actually be put there? Can Fikayo Timori grow into such a role?

It remains that missing part, that least covered area – leading to more sloppy moments.

Set-pieces

Set-pieces remain a problem (Getty)