Wharton, Quansah & Co – 10 players who could make a surprise push for England’s Euro 2024 squad

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It’s that time. It’s easy to forget as we were all so engrossed in the drama of the conclusion to the club season, but we are now less than a month away from Euro 2024 in Germany. Gareth Southgate will name his preliminary England squad this Tuesday May 21. Just two days after the Premier League season ended, and still 10 days before the Champions League final, which will have Englishmen in action. With the squad sizes now increased to 26, there will be eager eyes anticipating who makes the cut. Don’t forget you can select your very own England squad using Transfermarkt’s squad selector tool.

Whilst some names such as captain Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, John Stones and many more are almost foregone conclusions to make it on the plane should they stay fit, there are plenty of names on the periphery that are perhaps still undecided. Here at Transfermarkt, we have put together a list of10 players who could make a late surprise push to make it in the Three Lions squad for this summer’s Euros. These are players who you would not have expected to be in contention at the start of the season.

Jack Butland – Rangers – Goalkeeper (caps – 9)

Back in the 2018 World Cup, there was plenty of debate as to who should be England’s number one before the tournament  – Jordan Pickford or Jack Butland. Since then Pickford has made caps and fully asserted himself as the Three Lions keeper, whilst Butland’s career took one tumble to the next. However, he has now established himself as Rangers number one and has been one of the star performers in the Scottish Premiership this season. No keeper has more clean sheets. With Nick Pope injured and Aaron Ramsdale out of favour at Arsenal, there could be a surprise recall for Butland. 

Jarell Quansah – Liverpool – Centre-back (caps – 0)

One of the glaring issues facing Southgate ahead of this summer, is who will partner John Stones at centre-back, with it a potential area of weakness for England. Many players have been staking their claim to be included at centre-half but young Jarell Quansah might just get his first call up to the squad. The 21-year-old has made 33 appearances for Liverpool this season, and has recently been preferred to France international Ibrahima Konate. His ability to play out from the back may make it tempting for Southgate to include the young centre-half.

Eric Dier – Bayern Munich – Centre-back (caps – 49)

If you had said six months ago that Eric Dier would be in the England squad at the Euros most people would have laughed. He was effectively the fourth choice centre-half at Tottenham, with even full-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies chosen ahead of him. However, a January move to Bayern Munich has seen the Englishmen usurp the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae to start for the German giants. He came agonisingly close to being a starter for a team in the Champions League final, and Southgate may be keen to get him back involved in the England set up.

Tyrick Mitchell – Crystal Palace – Left-back (caps – 2)

The left-back position is also becoming an area of danger for the Three Lions. If fully fit and available, there isn’t much doubt Luke Shaw would be first choice, but the 28-year-old has made just 12 Premier League appearances for Manchester United this season. He is back in light training, but is still a doubt to be fit for the Euros – even if he is, whether he will be up to speed remains to be seen. This could open up an opportunity for Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, who actually scored against Man United a few weeks back. The 24 year old has started 37 of Palace’s 38 league games and been a consistent performer throughout. One to consider for Southgate. 

Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace – Centre-midfield (caps – 0)

Another Crystal Palace player who has been really catching the eye of late is midfielder Adam Wharton. The 20 year old has made the move from the Championship to the Premier League look seamless following his €21.2 million January move from Blackburn. He has been one of the standout performers for one of the in-form teams in the Premier League under new manager Oliver Glasner. His composure on the ball and ability to cover ground and turn possession back over could make him a wildcard pick for Southgate this summer. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek – AC Milan – Centre-midfield (caps – 10)

Another player who was part of the England squad for the 2018 World Cup, but has since fallen way out of favour is AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Nevertheless, he has been in fine form in Italy this season, scoring six goals and providing two assists for the Italian giants in Serie A. He also scored four goals in six games in the Europa League this season. His familiarity with Southgate could see the 28 year old make a surprise push for a seat on the plane this summer. 

Ross Barkley – Luton – Centre-midfield (caps – 33)

Another remarkable redemption story in the Premier League this season is that of Ross Barkley. Tipped to be one of the all-time great talents when he originally came through at Everton his career fell slightly to the Weyside after an unsuccessful move to Chelsea. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he went on loan to Aston Villa which didn’t work out before signing for French side Nice where he failed to have an impact. However, after signing for newly promoted Luton he has been arguably the clubs best player this season and has teased signs of the extremely talented young player he once was. Five Premier League goals, four assists, and some destructive midfield displays may have caught Southgate’s eye.

Jadon Sancho – Borussia Dortmund – Winger (caps – 23)

Jadon Sancho’s move to Man United has been nothing short of a calamity, After a majorly underwhelming first season, the winger found himself completely out of the fold under Erik ten Hag this season after a reported falling out with the manager. He looked a million miles away from the England squad. However, a January loan move back to Borussia Dortmund has seen him flourish once more. A man of the match display in the first leg of Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final against PSG helped the Germans make the Champions League final at Wembley, and surely caught the eye of Southgate. Don’t be surprised if he is back in the squad this summer. 

Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa – Winger (caps – 0)

Like Wharton, another player who has made a seamless transition from the Championship to the Premier League this season is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. Signed from Middlesbrough for €9.40m in January, the 21-year-old winger has three goals and one assist in 11 Premier League games for the Champions League chasing villains. The Euros may come too soon for Rogers, but he has certainly putting himself on Southgate’s radar.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton – Striker (caps – 11)

With the squad size increased to 26 players, Southgate may be tempted to now take four strikers. This could open up an opportunity for Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker has already made 11 caps for England under Southgate, but has been plagued by a series of injuries in recent seasons which has seen him fall down the pecking order. However, he has now played 32 Premier League games this season, and scored seven including a towering header in the Merseyside derby. His superb aerial ability may just see him make a late surprise push.