Fan Picks for Southgate’s Euro Squad

Skysport carried out a survey in late March, aimed at discovering who their readers would elect as their dream team for the Euros. Amidst the panic of the COVID-19 public health crisis, we think that this was a great way for them to get their readers’ minds off of their worries. So, let’s take a look at which players were the most popular in the survey.

The readers were instructed to pick their favorite players for England’s 23-man team. The top three goalkeeper picks were Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, and Nick Pope. Henderson was extremely popular all-around. 95.5% of survey-takers chose him to be part of their squad, while only 75% included Pickford in their roster. Pope came in third place, with a respectable 67%. It’s no surprise that Henderson ended up with the first-place position. Even though Pickford is actually England’s #1 star, Henderson has been having a phenomenal season.

Next, we have the following defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (picked for 92.3% of survey-takers’ squads) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (66.3%) would be the team’s right-backs. Then, Harry Maguire (87.9%), as well as Joe Gomez (77.4%), would be starting center-backs. Playing backup, we have Tyrone Mings (who was picked in 27.6% of rosters) and John Stones (27.4%). Finally, in the standout left-back position, we have Ben Chilwell (74.5%) and Luke Shaw (32.3%).

Moving on to the midfielders, Skysport assumed that the team would keep their current 4-3-3 formation, so they picked out six midfielders and six forwards. The survey showed that readers added the following players to the rosters: Jordan Henderson (in 85.3% of selections), Jack Grealish (77%), James Maddison (75.9%), Mason Mount (63.2%) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (58.9%) and, lastly, Dele Alli (50.2%.)

For forwards, the two most selected teammates were Harry Kane (included in 95.5% of selections) and Raheem Sterling (95.3%). Right behind them were Jadon Sancho (94.6%) and Marcus Rashford (93.3%).

Speaking of Kane and Rashford, both of these players stand to benefit from the Euro’s postponement. Harry Kane tore his hamstring in January and had to undergo surgery. Rashford also sustained an injury in January. Rather than a torn hamstring, however, Rashford obtained a stress fracture in his back. Perhaps both of these players would have been recovered enough to play in Euro 2020, but some fans were skeptical. However, Kane and Rashford will almost definitely be back to normal this summer. It should be much more likely that they will be recruited for England’s squad.