Revamping England's Squad: Unleashing Eddie Nketiah as the Perfect Harry Kane Companion

After Gareth Southgate named his England squad for Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and friendly against Scotland, We' football journalists analyse the key talking points.

Opportunity missed for change?

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Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson have retained their positions in Gareth Southgate's squad, despite concerns about their suitability. The international manager prioritizes consistency and careful decision-making to avoid being influenced by fluctuating form, which can sway the opinions of fans and journalists. For most people, England's victories against Malta and North Macedonia in June feel like distant recollections.

Southgate sees these two convincing victories as a starting point for his selection. With a total of eleven goals scored without any response from the opponents, it seems that Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire have become integral players in the team for both matches. Despite being only three Premier League games into the season, this strong performance was not enough to alter Southgate's perspective.

However, it is difficult to ignore the strong case for change. Even though moving to the Saudi Pro League may raise ethical concerns, Henderson, who is now 33 years old, would have been aware of the potential vulnerability of his position, especially if a player like James Ward-Prowse from West Ham starts to show impressive form.

Jude Bellingham or even Cristiano Ronaldo, with all the emotion and politics that accompany them, did not go to the Middle East. It was Henderson, a player whose selection for the World Cup had been debated even before his transfer in the winter.

Southgate remains faithful to his approach, placing value on careful consideration before making significant choices. This mentality has been an advantage over the years and has also fostered a better culture. However, one cannot help but wonder if this was a missed opportunity for an unnecessary avoidance of change.

Can Nketiah hold down role as Kane's back-up?

Eddie Nketiah's bid to secure a consistent place in Arsenal's starting lineup may be challenging, but his exceptional form at the beginning of this season has caught the attention of Gareth Southgate.

Despite his limited experience, having only started nine league matches at the age of 24, Nketiah has proven himself to be a reliable goal-scorer, with a goal rate comparable to that of Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners' regular number nine.

Whilst there are critics who highlight Nketiah's tendency to miss crucial opportunities - with only Darwin Nunez having squandered more chances per 90 minutes since last season commenced - it is important to note that Nketiah's ranking as the third highest for expected goals per 90 minutes among all Premier League strikers during that time period demonstrates his exceptional ability to position himself for scoring opportunities.

Furthermore, Nketiah's remarkable performance for England U21s, where he scored an impressive 16 goals in a mere 17 games, adds to his advantage. Southgate has a track record of acknowledging players' accomplishments at youth levels, and although Nketiah's recognition may have been slightly delayed compared to his peers, he has finally been given the opportunity he deserves.

Is Alexander-Arnold's midfield transformation complete?

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Trent Alexander-Arnold played at No 10 against Malta and North Macedonia in England's June double-header

Trent Alexander-Arnold has had quite the journey on the international stage, going from a right-back struggling to make it into the England squad to starting as the number 10 in a competitive match. While his club manager Jurgen Klopp has been a strong advocate for his versatile role as a defender, it's worth noting that Gareth Southgate first deployed him in midfield during a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in September 2021.

Initially seen as a brief and incomprehensible experiment by Klopp, Alexander-Arnold has proved himself yet again within a span of less than two years. This time, he proudly donned England's iconic No 10 jersey and was honored with the man of the match accolade for his exceptional goal and performance in the impressive 4-0 victory over Malta in June.

Now, it seems that his evolution as a player is fully accomplished as he is now officially listed as a midfielder in England's squad for the latest set of fixtures.

The media and the Three Lions' communications team are the only ones who have seen it, but they were aware that every detail of the announcement was scrutinized by eagle eyes, including this one.

We don't know how long it will continue. So far, Alexander-Arnold has only played as a midfielder in three international matches against teams ranked outside the top 50 in the FIFA rankings. More challenging games are yet to come. However, this clear indication of his move to the midfield suggests that it will be a lasting arrangement, at least for now.

Pope's quiet decline noticed by Southgate

Nick Pope missed the previous England squad due to hand surgery. With a full recovery and an impeccable record in Newcastle's Premier League season, it was expected that he would be chosen alongside Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale. However, to everyone's surprise, Gareth Southgate has opted for Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone.

Is this decision truly shocking, though? While Johnstone's performance for Palace has been consistent, Pope's form has gradually declined over the past six months. Additionally, Southgate might still have his latest appearance for England in mind.

Pope gave Germany a chance to equalize in the Nations League match at Wembley, resulting in a 3-3 draw. In the final minutes, Pope mishandled a routine shot by Serge Gnabry, allowing Kai Havertz to score.

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Pope's error gifted Germany a late equaliser in their Nations League draw last September

Newcastle's defense is not as strong as it may seem.

Furthermore, Liverpool's recent double attack indicates that Newcastle has only managed to keep a clean sheet in two out of their last 21 Premier League games. Additionally, Pope has experienced a significant decrease in his save ratio, dropping from 83% to 68% in the past 21 matches.

Blow for Sterling but time on his side for the Euros

With the significant drop in statistics, coupled with the fact that Pope lacks the same level of comfort or progressiveness in ball handling compared to Ramsdale and Pickford, it could pose a challenge for the esteemed Newcastle figure to reclaim his position for next summer. Lewis Jones

Raheem Sterling, who used to be a regular player for the England national team, has been excluded from the squad for three consecutive times by manager Gareth Southgate, just less than a year before the Euros.

An injury prevented Sterling from being considered in March and during the summer. In May, Southgate clarified that he had a conversation with Sterling, who personally believed he was not performing at the necessary standard, ultimately opting out of the Euro qualifiers against North Macedonia and Malta.

Sterling utilized his lengthy summer break to rejuvenate, concentrate, and recuperate following a disappointing debut season at Chelsea. Adopting a new dietary regime and being under the guidance of a fresh manager have resulted in his resurgence, yet these efforts have failed to secure his return to the English national team, despite the squad being expanded to accommodate 26 players. Evidently, Sterling had believed that he might have been selected, as suggested by a report in The Times on Thursday, which stated that the forward from Chelsea had aspirations of revitalizing his international career, and his reaction to not being included further supports this notion.

"Raheem's dissatisfaction is acknowledged," stated Southgate, reflecting on the challenging task of excluding Sterling. The Chelsea attacker, reportedly, venerates Southgate's decision and intends to utilize the international break to enhance his performance for his club.

Sterling's determination is evident this season: he is resolute in his pursuit to regain top form. Demonstrating progress with two goals in three matches, he is well on track towards achieving his objective.

JWP, Watkins and others unfortunate to miss out

Sterling's position in the squad will help alleviate tensions among insecure England players. Southgate has a history of bringing established players back into the fold for major tournaments, as demonstrated with Marcus Rashford during the World Cup.

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James Ward-Prowse has been absent from the England team since their goalless draw against Italy in the Nations League in June 2022. England squad selections are often met with mixed reactions, as controversy seems to be an integral part of the process.

This time, four notable individuals who have valid reasons to feel unjustly treated are absent. One such individual is Ollie Watkins, the forward for Aston Villa. With three goals and two assists in four appearances across various competitions this season, he has certainly made his mark. However, despite his impressive performance, he has not been called up for the national team since March 2022. Instead, uncapped Eddie Nketiah and Callum Wilson, who has only played 64 minutes for Newcastle this season, have been chosen over him.

West Ham pair James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen have made impressive starts to the season. Ward-Prowse, who previously played for Southampton, seamlessly transitioned into David Moyes' side, contributing a goal and two assists in his first two matches. Similarly, Bowen has also been a standout player, scoring two goals and providing an assist for West Ham. Notably, these performances have come without the presence of Declan Rice, and the team currently sits in second place in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Ben White has been an ever-present figure for Arsenal this season, playing every minute of every game. Although he has not represented England since March of last year, White's status within the national team seems to be below that of Harry Maguire. Interestingly, Maguire has yet to feature for Manchester United this season. This topic is sure to spark further debate.

What's next for England?

England will be playing a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Poland on September 9. Following this, they will engage in a friendly match against Scotland, which will be held at Hampden Park three days later. This friendly encounter marks a significant event for England, as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of their first match in 1872.