Wharton, Gibbs-White, Madueke, Calvert-Lewin… which wildcards could make England’s Euro 2024 squad?

ONE month today, Euro 2024 will kick off with England one of the favourites to win the tournament in Germany. Indeed, Gareth Southgate’s squad will have the quality to go all the way this summer and win England’s first major tournament since 1966.

UEFA’s decision to expand the number of players who can be selected by each country to 26 players has broadened Southgate’s scope, increasing the likelihood that he will pick at least one wildcard option. Here are five outside candidates who could make England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Having been a regular member of the England squad in the past, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the most experienced player on this list. However, the 27-year-old hasn’t made an appearance for the Three Lions since 2021, in no small part due to his injury troubles which have prevented the striker from achieving consistency at club level.

However, Calvert-Lewin has scored four goals in his last six games for Everton and once again looks like the player who made himself an England international in the first place. Calvert-Lewin would give Southgate a different dimension in the attacking third with the Toffees centre forward exceptional in the air.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Nottingham Forest effectively secured their Premier League survival on Saturday with the form of Morgan Gibbs-White a big reason why Nuno Espirito Santo’s team were able to avoid relegation. The 24-year-old has registered five goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season and could carry that form into Euro 2024.

Gibbs-White will surely break into the England squad at some point in the future and would give the Three Lions some goal threat from his attacking midfield position. England are well-stocked for players in this area, but the Nottingham Forest star could still make an important impact for the national team.

Only Ollie Watkins (12) has more Premier League assists than Morgan Gibbs-White (10) so far this season#NFFC pic.twitter.com/5B60aw5QzN

— Callum Castel (@CallumCastel7) May 12, 2024

Tino Livramento

Injuries to a number of key full backs could push Southgate towards a call-up for Tino Livramento. Indeed, Reece James, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw have all had injury troubles this season which could make Livramento an attractive option considering his versatility.

Livramento is most comfortable as a right back, but has operated on the left side of the Newcastle United defence at times this season. Southgate could use his three extra squad spots to provide more cover and Livramento’s inclusion would make sense given the number of full backs still recovering from injury.

Noni Madueke

Until recently, Noni Madueke wouldn’t have been mentioned in any discussion concerning Euro 2024. However, the winger has hit a rich vein of form for resurgent Chelsea over the last month or so, registering three goals and two assists in his last eight matches. In his current form, Madueke deserves a chance to prove himself at the top level of international football.

Madueke would give England a dribbler to play off the right side of their attack. The 22-year-old is best when he has the opportunity to drive at opposition defenders and this could be a quality that allows England to break down low defensive blocks. Madueke has played for England’s U16, U17, U18 and U21 teams and could make the step up to the senior side.

Adam Wharton

Since joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers in January, Adam Wharton has caught the eye as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League. Kobbie Mainoo might be ahead of Wharton in the pecking order of prodigious number sixes for England’s Euro 2024 squad, but Southgate could select both now that he has 26 places to hand out.

Wharton is comfortable on the ball, covers a lot of ground and is intelligent with his awareness of space. Many believe he could be the final piece of the puzzle for England in the centre of the pitch and could give Declan Rice the freedom to operate as more of a number eight, as he has done for Arsenal at times this season.