ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate will be given a managerial headache going into the delayed European championships this summer.
Southgate has one of the most talent-packed squads in recent memory, but is yet to nail down his favoured starting 11.
Gareth Southgate will be given a managerial headache going into the delayed European championshipsCredit: EPA
And the tournament’s year postponement has given players both more time to excel or lose form.
As Premier League managers prepare for the final stretch of the season, some regulars in the England squad are facing a fight to be selected by Southgate.
Here SunSport takes a look at seven stars who could miss out in the summer.
Kieran Trippier
Despite the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James, Southgate continued to play Trippier.
And despite being the favoured right-back at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, the ex-Tottenham defender, 30, could now miss out altogether.
It comes after he was banned for ten weeks and hit with a £70,000 fine for breaching betting rule.
He finally returned this month against Real Madrid, but James and Alexander-Arnold remain frontrunners at right-back.
Kieran Trippier is competing with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece JamesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Kyle Walker
The Manchester City man, 30, showed his versatility in the World Cup, playing at centre-half in a three-man defence.
But Southgate has since switched to a conventional back four and Walker is way down in the pecking order at right-back.
And that has not been helped by his manager Pep Guardiola, who has preferred Joao Cancelo this season.
Walker has travelled for England’s last two major tournaments, but is unlikely to have a seat this summer.
Kyle Walker is way down in the pecking order at right-backCredit: AP:Associated Press
Eric Dier
Dier played in England’s midfield at Euro 2016 and in the 2018 World Cup but under new Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, he has moved to centre-back.
Southgate also shifted him into defence for England’s last set of matches in November and looked certain for the Euros.
But since the end of February, Dier has been on the bench for Spurs.
Unless he can find a way back into the starting 11, the experienced 27-year-old could be at risk of losing his place.
Eric Dier has been moved into defence for England’s last set of matchesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Harry Winks
Dier’s Spurs team-mate was also becoming a favourite in Southgate’s midfield.
But he has been in and out of Mourinho’s side, starting only seven league matches currently.
Southgate does not have so much depth in holding midfield, meaning Winks, 25, is still a Euros hopeful.
But regular game time will be needed to strengthen his case.
Harry Winks has been in and out of Jose Mourinho’s Spurs sideCredit: Rex Features
Jesse Lingard
The Manchester United playmaker, a scorer in the last World Cup, was slowly losing his space for both club and country.
But after he secured a loan move to West Ham, Lingard has enjoyed a resurgence.
With four goals and two assists in only six appearances, if the attacker, 28, carries on he makes a late case to regain his spot in the squad.
But already Southgate has plenty more regulars going forward, meaning Lingard may have left it too little too late.
Jesse Lingard was a scorer in the last World CupCredit: AFP – Getty
Dele Alli
Lingard’s midfield partner also scored in Russia and looked to be a fixture in the side for years to come.
Initially when Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino last season, Alli, 24, looked to have been revitalised.
But this term he has again suffered inconsistent form and runs in the team, so much so that he was frozen out and looked for a transfer.
When he failed to leave, Mourinho reintroduced him to the side, but like Lingard he may not have enough time to pull it around.
Dele Alli faces a fight to get back into the England and Spurs squadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Tammy Abraham
With captain Harry Kane leading the line, Southgate has been in search of a No2, capable of filling in if and when needed.
And Abraham, 23, was becoming a solid choice as he also became Chelsea’s No1 striker and scorer.
But since Frank Lampard was replaced by German Thomas Tuchel, and amid a reported contract dispute, Abraham has been vacant.
Unless he finds a way to fit in with forward Timo Werner, and regain his space, Southgate could opt for another striker instead.
Tammy Abraham has been frozen out of the Chelsea squad recentlyCredit: AFP or licensors
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
