One down, two very likely out, four more to go.
James Maddison won't be going to Euro 2024, with the Tottenham midfielder having left England's training camp prematurely on Wednesday. Gareth Southgate now has less than 48 hours to decide on his final picks, with UEFA's deadline set for 11pm on Friday.
That'll be around an hour after England walk off the pitch at Wembley, having played Iceland in their final warmup friendly before facing Serbia in their Group C opener on Sunday, June 16.
As well as Maddison, it now appears as though Liverpool youngsters Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, neither of whom possess a senior cap, will also be cut from the squad ahead of the final announcement. But who else doesn't go to Germany? The Mirror Football team have had a go at wielding their own axe.
John Cross
Gareth Southgate will axe one keeper, his defence has big numbers because he was concerned over fitness issues with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw while Curtis Jones may struggle to get into midfield. It is unlikely that England will take three centre-forwards, so Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney could be at risk.
James Maddison has struggled for form in recent weeks but impressed when he came on at St James’ Park. Southgate is unlikely to have seen anything yet to change his mind drastically on his starting XI but Kieran Trippier dispelled any fears over his fitness with a solid display at left back against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Trent Alexander-Arnold might have shown enough to prove he could play in midfield alongside Declan Rice at the Euros but there are still more decisions to be made than Southgate would probably like at this late stage. My seven: Henderson, Branthwaite, Quansah, Gomez, Jones, Maddison, Toney.
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Chris McKenna
James Maddison hasn’t been consistent enough since the turn of the year and that cost him. Ivan Toney has been on a dry spell whereas Ollie Watkins has fired Aston Villa to the Champions League.
Keeper James Trafford was dropped by Burnley and, while he may be one for the future, it would seem daft to pick him as No.3. Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarrell Quansah are probably two for the future but I believe the former should go ahead of Lewis Dunk, who has had a below-par season.
Curtis Jones was a surprise initial inclusion and hasn’t really done enough to make the cut. Given his injury record and campaign plagued by problems, it would be irresponsible of Southgate to bring Luke Shaw with Joe Gomez available to play left-back. My seven: Trafford, Quansah, Dunk, Shaw, Jones, Maddison, Toney.
Your turn! Which players would you drop from the England squad? Join the debate in the comments section
Andy Dunn
The absurd decision allowing coaches to select a bloated 26-man squad means Gareth Southgate really doesn’t have too many big calls to make. It also means he can afford to take Luke Shaw - even though he might not be fit to play for a while - and still pick eight other defenders.
Jarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite will be the defenders to miss out with James Trafford getting a slightly surprising nod ahead of Dean Henderson for the number three goalkeeping slot. Curtis Jones will be a predictable absentee from the final party but the other three casualties might surprise some people.
Southgate will not take three central strikers, so Ollie Watkins’ consistency will see him preferred to Ivan Toney, while the flair of Eberechi Eze and James Maddison could well lose out to the more workmanlike qualities of Conor Gallagher and the precocious Adam Wharton. My seven: Henderson, Branthwaite, Quansah, Jones, Maddison, Eze, Toney.
Simon Bird
There will be no hotel room bust- ups like when Gazza was dropped by Glenn Hoddle, because these England lads are such a decent bunch. The cull of seven players only has a few awkward, subjective calls.
The difficult trio are Ivan Toney, James Madison and Adam Wharton. Toney has not done enough since coming back from his betting ban to stick around. Wharton was in for the training squad ride and experience, but has done so well in training and in a cameo against Bosnia that he is borderline, and will be at the next tournament.
James Maddison is a great player but there’s too much talent in his area. I’d cut Henderson from the four keepers. Branthwaite needs more top-flight experience and Quansah, too. Curtis Jones isn’t in the midfield mix, yet. My seven: Henderson, Branthwaite, Quansah, Wharton, Jones, Maddison, Toney.
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Mike Walters
Whene England are taken to penalties in the knockout phase – come on, you know it’s going to happen – and they are looking for five volunteers of intestinal fortitude, Ivan Toney would be worth his place in the squad for that scenario alone. But I’m not sure he’s going to make the cut.
And although Jarrod Bowen deserves a gallop based on his club form, how are England going to accommodate Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Bowen all cutting in off the right flank on to their favoured left foot? I also fear for James Maddison. Before his injury in November, he was a magician for Tottenham.
But since his comeback, he hasn’t pulled any rabbits from a hutch, let alone a top hat. My seven: Henderson, Branthwaite, Quansah, Gomez, Jones, Maddison, Toney.
Nathan Ridley
After missing the last European Championship through injury, it'd be nice to see Dean Henderson on the plane as third-choice. I'd still take James Trafford, though, just not in the official squad. Having four goalkeepers helps with training drills and there's an argument to made that only having 22 outfielders actually makes more sense than 23, as France, for example, like to play 11-v-11 in training.
Liverpool duo Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones both miss out on my squad, although I'd definitely take Joe Gomez thanks to him being able to play at left-back given the uncertainty over Luke Shaw's fitness. I'd have Jarrad Branthwaite in, too, particularly as a left-footer but also as an aerial presence who could make an impact late on in games - not to mention that he's been in superb form.
Ezri Konsa is definitely an asset but having enough options on right-hand side of defence shouldn't be a problem for Southgate, with Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier all able to cover for Kyle Walker. Lewis Dunk's inclusion might prompt a few eye rolls but don't forget this time last year, he was being touted to start over Harry Maguire.
While Jarrod Bowen offers something different in attack and has been brilliant for West Ham, I'm struggling to see how he'd be involved in key games when there's so much competition in forward areas. Jack Grealish gets the nod from me, partially because of the jovial nature he helps bring to the travelling group, but mainly for his ability to unlock a door in a tight game. My seven: Trafford, Quansah, Konsa, Jones, Maddison, Bowen, Toney.
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