England Squad Gears Up for Euro 2020
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have joined Gareth Southgate’s squad early as they aim to prove their fitness for the upcoming European Championship. The England team has gathered in County Durham for their pre-tournament training camp ahead of the June 16th group opener against Serbia.
Training Camp Details
- Location: Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park
- Attendance: Only six players absent
Jude Bellingham, currently with Real Madrid, is focused on the upcoming Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund and will not participate in the friendlies against Bosnia and Iceland.
Fitness Concerns and Squad Selection
Southgate faces challenges in selecting the final squad due to various complications, especially related to fitness. Both Shaw and Maguire have been dealing with injuries, with Shaw facing a setback in his recovery from a muscle injury and Maguire being out for a month with a muscle issue.
Southgate emphasized the commitment of Shaw and Maguire to be fit for the tournament and the importance of assessing their condition firsthand during the training camp.
Upcoming Matches
- England vs. Bosnia on Monday at St James’ Park
- England vs. Iceland at Wembley next Friday
The final 26-man squad will be submitted to UEFA shortly after the match against Iceland, with the team then heading to Germany on June 10.
Southgate acknowledged the difficulty of narrowing down the squad from the initial 33-man training group, highlighting the challenging decisions ahead, particularly in terms of player injuries.
Youth Talent and Squad Decisions
Mainoo’s standout performance in the FA Cup final has raised discussions about his potential inclusion in the squad for Euro 2024. Southgate emphasized the importance of assessing young talent under pressure and highlighted Mainoo’s maturity and ability to perform in significant matches.
Southgate expressed confidence in including young players based on merit and performance, emphasizing the value of having substantial evidence when making squad decisions.