With England’s preliminary squad confirmed, here is a look at five players who have been snubbed for selection.
Amidst tough competition and difficult decisions in relation to form and injuries as to who made the 33-player squad, there are plenty of players who have been snubbed despite enjoying strong seasons at their clubs.
Some of those players have arguably performed better than certain names within the squad and would of deserved a place at least in the initial preliminary squad, ahead of the final cut in early June.
Jack Butland (Rangers)
Given England’s lack of depth in goalkeeping options aside from Jordan Pickford, Rangers’ Jack Butland arguably could of been given a chance to impress in the preliminary squad.
With 20 clean sheets in all competitions this season, Butland has enjoyed a much stronger season compared to say Aaron Ramsdale – who has barely played, or James Trafford who lost the no.1 spot at an eventually relegated Burnley yet those two are in the squad.
Admittedly Butland hasn’t played international football since he was part of Southgate’s squad at the 2018 World Cup, but that shouldn’t go against him because sometimes it is worth taking a goalkeeper who has had regular game time and is in form plus has experience.
James Tarkowski (Everton)
Amidst defensive issues within England’s squad at times this season, Southgate really should of given thought to James Tarkowski because he has been super consistent in all defensive areas – especially as the player with most aerial battles won this season in the Premier League.
Tarkowski also has been on a par with his teammate – Jarrad Branthwaite who has been called up, so it is harsh for Tarkowski to miss out, especially as those two would of offered a solid central defensive pairing option for Southgate in terms of selection.
Alfie Doughty (Luton)
Given the left-back crisis with Luke Shaw unlikely to be fit and Ben Chilwell snubbed, Southgate must be absolutely oblivious to Luton’s left-back, Alfie Doughty who has quietly been one of the best full-backs in the top-flight.
From producing three goals and eight assists to being the league’s prolific cross-maker, Doughty has consistently been a top left-back in terms of contributing to attack yet doing the job defensively without much praise from pundits and media alike.
Southgate therefore should of had the ballsy guts to call up Doughty to properly assess him within the preliminary squad, especially against Shaw in case the latter isn’t fit enough for the final cut.
Ross Barkley (Luton)
Having joined Luton following an one-season spell in France with Nice, Ross Barkley has certainly found his groove in a deep-lying playmaker role, which saw him become an integral part of Luton’s midfield this season whilst retaining his well-known aggressive intensity and dribbling qualities.
His defensive and attacking stats also shows just how well he has done this season and you have to think that if there had been a midfield injury crisis, Barkley would of likely found himself in the preliminary squad because he has definitely earned a look on pure graft and merit.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Without doubt one of Southgate’s biggest selection howlers in a long time because in a season leading up to a major tournament, Dominic Solanke has done everything needed of a striker to stake a strong claim to a call-up.
With his 21 goals and four assists in all competitions, Solanke would of been a decent back-up such is his form and improved all-round game, whilst his versatility would allow him to drop into the central attacking midfielder or winger roles if necessary.
This snub though could well be the motivation that Solanke needs to keep improving and try and get on the plane for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA.