England’s Euro 2024 squad: Grealish and Maguire miss out as final 26 revealed – live | Euro 2024

Do we have an answer to this question yet?

Consider Southgate’s words after the Wembley friendly against Australia in October when he started Alexander-Arnold at right‑back but asked him to get up and across into midfield. After the hour, Southgate moved him to the right of the midfield two in the 4‑2‑3-1 and he watched him come to seek space to the right, away from a congested central zone.

“I think he’s an 8,” Southgate said. “Although we didn’t play with an 8 [against Australia], which is why we got him in at full-back, it is an option. He’s got qualities that are very different to all of our midfield players and we want to keep looking at it as much as we can.”

England went out in the quarter-finals with those players.

Remember back in 2002 when the England squad got to celebrate getting picked by partying at Beckingham Palace with Liz Hurley and Elton John?

Per Hello in 2002. It was all for charity, the NSPCC to be precise.

Never known for doing things by halves, Victoria and David Beckham are about to throw a World Cup bash to end all pre-match celebrations. The party, which will take place on Sunday in a specially created Japanese garden under canvas in the grounds of their Hertfordshire mansion, is expected to cost £350,000 – with £75,000 of that being splashed out on champagne.

The dress code is strictly “white tie and diamonds”.Sixty thousand orchids and bamboo stems will help create an exotic Eastern ambience, while A-list guests, including Elton John and Irish crooner Ronan Keating as well as members of the World Cup squad, will tuck into sushi and sashimi. In line with the Japanese theme they will be greeted by “geisha” girls, and serenaded upon arrival by opera singer Russell Watson.

The gala event will the be the England team’s last opportunity to let loose before they head for Dubai and final preparations for the World Cup.

Solidarity from a fellow centre-half here. Branthwaite had an excellent season though can be impetuous, while Lewis Dunk is more of an organiser. Beyond John Stones, that’s a callow set of centre-backs. Everton may want their man to go to put the price up in the event of a good tournament performance.

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Perhaps the surprise selection, the wrinkle, we understand has been made is the retention of Ivan Toney AND Ollie Watkins. Two players who offer different things but are both centre-forwards. Perhaps Watkins has been kept to add pace down the left-hand channel. As it stands, if Harry Kane stays fit, neither will be asked to play too much football when it matters. That’s a big if, of course. Ivan Toney retained for penalty shootouts?

Before we knew of Maguire and Grealish’s exits, James Maddison was the headline maker. David Hytner ran the rule over the reasons behind his omission.

Adam Wharton, a player of rare talent, is set to be the big winner, the wild card, this year’s Theo Walcott. Though hopefully he gets on the field.

Earlier, James Maddison made plain his feelings at his departure from the camp.

Harry Maguire confirms his exit

Preamble