The seven players cut from the provisional 33-man squad named last week by England coach
The biggest intrigue surrounded Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool's creative and attacking full back, who was omitted for England's games in March but finished the
All four will wind up going to the tournament, with Southgate talking up each of the players' versatility such as James potentially playing in midfield, Walker at left back and Trippier at wing back.
“Basically they are in our best 26 footballers and that is why they are in the squad,” Southgate said, adding with a laugh: “If I could have picked a fifth or sixth right back, I probably would have done."
Southgate is among those who has previously suggested Alexander-Arnold might be deployed as a midfielder in the future given his vision and eye for goal. He has never played as a midfielder in his senior Liverpool career, though, only at youth-team level.
Alexander-Arnold, Southgate said, was informed three weeks ago that he would be picked in the squad.
“Always believe in yourself. Silence the doubters,” the Liverpool player tweeted after being selected.
Maguire missed the final five games of
Southgate picked both of them, even though they are unlikely to be available for England's first Group D game against
“He has a bit to do,” Southgate said. "It’s like Hendo, they’ve both got a bit to do, really, to be available. But we feel there's the possibility they can play a part and the fact that they are such fantastic characters to have around the group.
“Hendo's leadership, his presence, is having an effect on other people, especially the younger ones in the group. So given we were able to pick 26, we felt the opportunity to have those two with us was straightforward.”
Greenwood officially withdrew from contention early Tuesday “in order to recover fully from an underlying injury,” his club,
Southgate had given himself an extra week to decide his final 26 players because 12 potential picks were playing in European club finals last week, with United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
One player he sounded especially excited about was
“He is phenomenal,” Southgate said. “Just in training the last couple of days, to have a 17-year-old compete with senior players — he not only has the technique but the competitiveness, the maturity. He is a hugely exciting player and we aren’t just taking him for the experience.”
England will play a Euro 2020 warmup against
After the
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Goalkeepers:
Defenders:
Midfielders:
Forwards:
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