Michael Owen has excluded Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his selection for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
As the Three Lions prepare for the upcoming Euros in Germany, Gareth Southgate has named a 33-man preliminary squad.
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The provisional list includes five debutants – Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, Adam Wharton, and James Trafford – but omits established players like Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, and Raheem Sterling.
Southgate must trim the squad to 26 by the June 7 deadline.
Following the announcement, former England forward Owen shared his preferred lineup, which includes Chelsea’s rising star Cole Palmer.
Everton’s reliable Jordan Pickford is Owen’s choice for goalkeeper, with Kyle Walker and John Stones forming a Manchester City duo in defense.
Owen is hopeful that Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw will recover in time for the Euros, despite recent injuries and missing the upcoming FA Cup final.
Declan Rice is Owen’s pick for the defensive midfield role, supporting Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, who are free to advance ahead of Arsenal’s record signing.
In a bold move, Owen has favored Chelsea’s Palmer on the right wing over Arsenal’s standout Saka, with Anthony Gordon of Newcastle on the opposite side.
Palmer has had an outstanding first season at Chelsea, contributing to 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 league matches. Saka has also been pivotal for Arsenal, with 25 goal contributions.
Leading England’s attack in Owen’s selection is the nation’s top scorer, Harry Kane, although Owen suggests Southgate has options to vary the attack with multiple goal threats.
‘Obviously you can switch up the forward options and you will switch it up throughout the tournament,’ he told TNT Sports as he picked his England team for the Euros.
‘You can bring Bukayo Saka in on the right and put Cole Palmer on the left. I just have to find a place for Palmer and have to find a place for Foden.
‘That would be my wish-list. That team can change but I think it will only change by two or three players. They’re taking a 26-man squad but I can only envisage a few changes from that team.
‘People will argue that Anthony Gordon shouldn’t start but I love the thought of his pace out there. There’s lots of different options and alternatives but that’s probably what I would go with.’
England, who have not won a major trophy in the men’s game since 1966, begin their Euros campaign on June 16 against Serbia.
