AliousGareth Southgate, the England manager, has finalized his 26-player roster for the upcoming European Championships in Germany, and his exclusions have raised eyebrows, particularly one noted by Graeme Souness.
Souness has cautioned Southgate that leaving out Jack Butland, who he regards as “the finest English goalkeeper,” from the Euro 2024 squad is a significant oversight.
Despite Southgate’s preference for Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Souness contends that Rangers’ number one, Butland, deserves a spot on the team.
Pickford has been a fixture in Southgate’s England setup and is poised to be the top goalkeeper choice for his fourth consecutive major tournament, with Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale also included in the lineup.
Butland, on the other hand, has just completed an impressive first season with Rangers after transferring from Crystal Palace last summer.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper hasn’t played for England since September 2018, yet his recent performances in Scotland have solidified Souness’s support.
Souness, a former Rangers player and manager, expressed his belief in the strength of the current England squad, despite some defensive vulnerabilities, praising it as a sensible selection overall.
He acknowledged Southgate’s loyalty to Pickford but insisted that Butland, who has excelled at Rangers, should be part of the tournament team.
Souness also advocated for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton to start over Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and suggested that Chelsea’s Cole Palmer could pose a challenging decision for Southgate due to his consistent performance.
He commended Wharton’s inclusion, highlighting his understanding of midfield responsibilities and quality.
While Mainoo is skilled, Souness believes Wharton has a better grasp of the role.
With Wharton, Mainoo, and Palmer, England boasts young talents brimming with confidence, yet Palmer’s form could present a dilemma for Southgate.
Souness feels that Palmer’s ability to translate his Chelsea success onto the international stage could force Southgate to consider him for selection, especially if he shines in a potential substitute role.
With only seven matches to the final, Souness emphasizes that this is not a time for players lacking form.
He views the depth and strength of the England squad as an indicator that they are strong contenders to win the tournament.
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