With Euro 2024 fast approaching, Gareth Southgate’s England squad is starting to take shape and he now has an extra three slots with 26 players boarding the plane to Germany following Uefa’s decision to extend the squad sizes. Telegraph Sport assesses what the squad would look like if it were picked now.

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Goalkeepers

Jordan Pickford

Take away the 6-0 defeat at Chelsea and it has been an excellent end of the season for Pickford and Everton. The ex-Sunderland keeper was riled by Newcastle’s taunts and put in a strong performance there, followed by clean sheets against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Sheffield United. Heading to Germany in good shape and his kicking will be hugely important.

Dean Henderson

This is a conundrum for Southgate as Nick Pope is back on the bench for Newcastle and would be in contention for a place given Sam Johnstone’s injury ruling him out of the tournament. But Henderson is back in Crystal Palace’s team as a result of Johnstone’s absence and playing well, with the clean sheet against Manchester United to go with keeping out Liverpool at Anfield. Only earned one cap, in 2020, but on form is in the top three.

Aaron Ramsdale

Has been linked with a move to Newcastle, who will look for a younger No 2 keeper this summer, although there would be no guarantee of a regular starting place there with Pope back fit. Arsenal have relied on David Raya for the title run-in. Even after the error against Spurs it is unlikely to be a position to change. Ramsdale is still a good No 3 to have in the England squad for the Euros, in terms of training to the maximum and supporting the other keepers.

Defenders

Kyle Walker

Started six of the last seven Manchester City matches to put them within sight of the title - which he will be lifting if they stay ahead of Arsenal on Sunday. Played well against Tottenham when City got the job done. Limped off against Brazil during the international break but it was not as bad as feared. His place in the squad is cemented providing he is fit, with Southgate twice talking him out of international retirement to keep him in his plans. Still among the best right-backs one-v-one and can play as a third centre-back, while Pep Guardiola has “inverted” him to play in central midfield when Manchester City have the ball.

Kieran Trippier

Made his comeback against Brighton off the bench after two months out. Had been sidelined and missed the March internationals with a calf injury. His form dipped over the Christmas period, but he is an important part of Southgate’s squad with his ability to play on either flank and his set-piece threat. Occupying the back-up left-back slot frees up room elsewhere.

John Stones

Back playing in the win over Wolves after two weeks out, then an unused sub for two games. He has suffered knocks having returned from his adductor problem when he played for England against Belgium during the last international. Has been at the heart of Southgate’s defence for his most important triumphs. The question marks this season have been over his fitness but he will be on the plane providing he stays injury-free.

Harry Maguire

Could return for the FA Cup final and expected to be fit for the Euros. He suffered an ankle injury ahead of the last Euros but got himself fit and played a key role. Southgate stayed loyal to Maguire when he was getting jeered by his own supporters, so it is safe to say that he will be in his plans for Germany if fit. The centre-back has forced his way back in at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag after looking set to leave the club in the summer.

Marc Guehi

Back from three months out injury but looked the part again during the 4-0 demolition of Manchester United, before coming off the bench in the Wolves win. The Crystal Palace centre-back never seems to get into trouble. He quoted Paolo Maldini recently when talking about going under the radar: “Maldini said if you have to make a tackle, you weren’t in the right position in the first place.”

Ezri Konsa

Konsa is making an excellent case for himself in the race with Lewis Dunk, Fikayo Tomori or the versatile Levi Colwill for a centre-back spot. He played well in the matches against Brazil and Belgium during the last break and showed he can cover at right-back at a push. He caps off his season with Champions League qualification and possibly a place at the Euros.

Ben Chilwell

Mauricio Pochettino believes his player can grab a place at the Euros as he is close to a comeback from injury. Chilwell played in the matches against Brazil and Belgium, improving after a poor start against the South Americans. Left-back will be a huge issue for Southgate in the next few weeks. Luke Shaw was expected to be back before the end of the season but has not been seen for Manchester United. While Chilwell is out, he could end up being the best option rather than going for young talent such as Ipswich’s Leif Davis.

Reece James

Made his comeback from injury against Nottingham Forest and made an instant impact, setting up the winner with a cross. Can play on either flank which will help Southgate with his left-back problems. His threat attacking could edge him ahead of Joe Gomez.

Midfield

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Huge boost to see him back playing after injury in recent matches for Liverpool. Made his comeback off the bench against Crystal Palace, which ended in defeat, and has started five games in a row. It looked like it was Alexander-Arnold against Kalvin Phillips for the role alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, with the Liverpool player pulling himself clear in the last months. Yes, he can cover right-back, too, but it should be his ability to control games and his passing range that gets him into this team. He is stepping up his comeback from a knee injury.

Kobbie Mainoo

One of the only bright spots in Manchester United’s dismal season. Looked at home on the international stage against Belgium, where he had the discipline to hold his position but could carry the ball forward too. Has started all but one match since the Christmas period and physically looks like he is full developed. He is a wildcard pick but what a talent.

Jude Bellingham

England will be pinning their hopes on him. Has been playing slightly deeper for Real Madrid recently, similar to his England role. All eyes will be on the Real Madrid star over the final games of the season. If he stays fit, he starts for Southgate as a No10 – but he gets everywhere around the pitch. Showed his class in the final moments against Belgium when he rescued a draw.

Declan Rice

David Moyes suggested recently that the £105 million paid by Arsenal in the summer would prove to be a bargain. It is hard to disagree with him, with Rice such an important part of Arsenal’s title charge. He can control games and is a better player than at the last Euros. Played both games against Brazil and Belgium and the only question is who lines up alongside him on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen when England’s tournament gets under way.

Eberechi Eze

Jordan Henderson would be a leader in the squad off the pitch but Eze’s form for Palace commands attention. Henderson is also only just back from injury for Ajax, while Eze has been showing he has an X-factor that could change games for England off the bench. Another goal when he faced Wolves after running the show against Manchester United in his previous game.

Forwards

Phil Foden

Football Writers’ Association player of the season and has been in excellent from, performing in the Premier League and Champions League. Now playing well enough to demand a starting place in Southgate’s team after being so unlucky with England. Injury ruled him out of the last Euros final against Italy and earlier in the tournament he was rested as he was a yellow away from suspension. Now looks set to start on the left of the attack.

Harry Kane

Suffered an injury scare but will be back at full tilt for the Euros. Bundesliga heartbreak for him but it can still be a huge summer for his country. England had to play without him against Brazil and Belgium and it makes a big difference when the country’s most prolific goalscorer is not in the team. England will hold its breath around the final weeks of the season and hope there are no fresh concerns.

Bukayo Saka

Surely one of Southgate’s starters. His direct running from the right will be an important part of England’s attack as they look to go one better this time around. He pulled out of the squad to face Brazil and Belgium as a precaution, but has been back on form for Arsenal.

Jack Grealish

Started against Real Madrid in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final, which shows his standing in the Manchester City team when on top form. But in the last three games has been on the bench or not in the matchday squad. He had suffered a dip since the incredible high of winning the Treble with Manchester City last season, but he can still draw fouls and commit defenders like no other. If he is playing enough games, he should be on the plane to the Euros.

Cole Palmer

Has to go to Germany after his form this season. Contrast the Chelsea forward’s cool finishes in the big moments of the 4-3 win over Manchester United with the work of Marcus Rashford when he came off the bench as fresh legs. Palmer is rising to every occasion since leaving Chelsea and is commanding a place on the plane.

Anthony Gordon

Gordon played very well against Brazil and it was enough for Southgate to have another look against Belgium off the bench. Has been in excellent form for Newcastle since and could be a wildcard selection for Southgate, with the potential of being an impact sub.

Ollie Watkins

He has scored 19 goals and registered 13 assists in the Premier League this season. These numbers should be rewarded with a place in Southgate’s squad. He has been consistent and deserves his place on merit and on sheer weight of goals this season, even if it means a wide player misses out.

Callum Wilson

Has the skill of always hitting the target in any situation. He is back from injury and straight back in the goals for Newcastle, although missed the Brighton clash with “tightness”. After going to the World Cup, Southgate knows what he is about. In contrast, Ivan Toney is in the middle of goal drought after scoring against Belgium on his first England start. His penalties are an asset but Wilson is tried and tested as a good squad option.

James Maddison

Form has dipped in recent weeks but the equaliser against Belgium shows how good he can be off the bench. After making his return to the England team last year, his move to Tottenham worked well initially although they are limping across the finish line. Judged by the overall season he could be worth a gamble.

Jarrod Bowen

Has hit the 20-goal mark this season and looked good at stages of the last international break. The extra three positions could work in his favour in a competitive area of the squad for wide positions.