England’s squad numbers for the Euros have been officially announced, giving fans a glimpse into Gareth Southgate’s plans for the tournament. One notable omission from the squad is Harry Maguire, who has been a key player for England in recent tournaments. This leaves an open spot in the starting XI, and the assigned No6 jersey suggests that Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi could be the frontrunner to fill Maguire’s shoes.
Other interesting squad number choices include Bukayo Saka taking on the No7, previously worn by Jack Grealish, and Jude Bellingham being assigned the prestigious No10. These decisions indicate that both players have impressed Southgate and are expected to play significant roles in the upcoming matches.
The squad numbers also provide clues about the positions and roles of certain players. Trent Alexander-Arnold, typically a right-back for Liverpool, has been given the No8, traditionally associated with central midfielders. This suggests that Southgate sees Alexander-Arnold playing a more central role for England. Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, and John Stones have been assigned the first five numbers, indicating their status as guaranteed starters if fit.
Captain Harry Kane will once again don the iconic No9 jersey, leading the line for England. The No11, previously worn by Marcus Rashford, has been given to Phil Foden, indicating that he may start on the left side in the team’s opening match against Serbia.
There are also interesting choices further down the list. Kieran Trippier retains his No12 jersey for the fourth major tournament in a row, while Aaron Ramsdale has been assigned No13, suggesting that he is ahead of Dean Henderson in the pecking order for the goalkeeper position.
The squad numbers also highlight some up-and-coming talents in the England setup. Ivan Toney, who has been impressive for Brentford in club football, will wear the No17 for England. Youngsters Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo have been assigned the highest numbers, indicating that they are still in the early stages of their international careers.
In preparation for the Euros, England suffered a disappointing defeat to Iceland at Wembley, reminiscent of their shock exit from Euro 2016. However, standout performances from Mainoo and Guehi provided some cause for optimism.
Overall, the squad numbers give fans a glimpse into Southgate’s plans for the tournament. While there are still uncertainties, such as who will replace Maguire in the starting XI, the numbers provide valuable insights into the team’s dynamics and potential strategies. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the opening match against Serbia to see how Southgate’s chosen ones perform on the field.