England talking points: Has Gareth Southgate missed a chance for change? Can Eddie Nketiah be Harry Kane's back-up?
Plus: Is Trent Alexander-Arnold's midfield transformation complete? Nick Pope's quiet decline noticed by Gareth Southgate and time still on Raheem Sterling's side for Euros comeback; England face Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifier on September 9 and friendly against Scotland on September 12
Thursday 31 August 2023 16:40, UK
After Gareth Southgate named his England squad for Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and friendly against Scotland, Sky Sports' football journalists analyse the key talking points.
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq), James Maddison (Tottenham), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
Consistency and caution, they are the watchwords of the international manager reluctant to be caught up in the vagaries of form that can sway the fan or, frankly, journalist. For the rest of us, England's wins over Malta and North Macedonia in June are barely a memory.
For Southgate, they are the starting point for his selection. Two convincing victories. Eleven goals scored without reply. Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire started both matches.
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