JOE COLE’S England squad includes Kobbie Mainoo- but NOT Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins or Jack Grealish.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is set to name a provisional squad on May 21.
The debate still remains whether there will be 26 or 23 players in squads for the tournament.
But Southgate has a tough task on his hands in choosing the best forward players to bring to Euro 2024.
And that is where Cole turned to when referencing THREE major names that he thinks should miss out on a spot on the plane to Germany.
Speaking to promote the launch of the Topps official trading cards and stickers, Cole gave his squad predictions.
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The ex- England defender said: “It sounds ridiculous but the character of the players comes into the thinking and what it means to them.
“I’m a big fan of Rashford, he’s hit big heights in his career but for no fathomable reason he’ll go on a run where people start questioning him again.
“For me, you only take Marcus if you’re going to start him. He’s at the age now that I think that’s where his mind is and I wouldn’t start him ahead of Phil Foden, Harry Kane or Bukayo Saka.
“This is no defamation of his character and ability but at this time in his life and situation at United, I think he could be the one that’s left out.
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“Also with Grealish, I love him, but how can you take him ahead of someone who is playing week in week out like a James Maddison or Jarrod Bowen who is doing it and who is match fit?”
Grealish is perhaps the most surprising omission, but he has been limited to 15 Prem appearances for Manchester City this season due to injury.
His groin problem caused him to miss out on the last England squad, with the likes of Bowen and Anthony Gordon pushing their cases for inclusion, while Cole Palmer remains an option.
Another debate regarding the squad is who goes as back-up to Kane, with Southgate likely to take only one extra forward due to squad size restraints.
Watkins leads the way with 16 Prem goals this season but Toney’s physicality proved too strong for Cole.
Cole said: “It’s the real tough one and I feel like one of them will be really disappointed and rightly feel hard done by.
“Toney took his chance, not just with his penalty but the way he played too. Watkins had a harder task against Brazil.
“I would go with Toney, he’s got the mindset and something in him that tells me he can play for England.
“He’s not going to be panicking over a penalty, he’s the calmest man in the world and that comes into it too.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
