LIONS' PRIDE
England Euro 2020 squad announced with Trent Alexander-Arnold one of FOUR right-backs but Jesse Lingard missing out
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD will be heading to the Euros after Gareth Southgate included him in his final 26-man squad.
The Liverpool right-back's impressive form towards the end of the campaign has convinced the Three Lions boss that he is worthy of a spot in the star-studded squad.
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Despite all the talk over which right-back will be left at home, Southgate has opted to take all FOUR to the Euros.
Alexander-Arnold will provide healthy competition for a starting role alongside Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Chelsea's Champions League hero Reece James.
And Southgate insisted he had no doubts about bringing all four right-backs... and would have picked MORE if he could.
Southgate said: "Basically, they are in our best 26 footballers, that's why they are in the squad.
"If I could've picked a fifth or a sixth right-back... I probably would have done!
"We have four players that play sometimes at right-back for their clubs.
"Kieran has been playing at wing-back, Reece has played right of a three or wing-back, Trent plays at right-back and Kyle has played centre-half for us in a three and has also played at left-back against Denmark.
“They’re all in the squad because they’re all really good footballers.
"We are here to play nine games. We already have some injury doubts in the group. We need adaptability, good players, good professionals, tactically savvy players and we are fortunate we have old and young players who fit all those categories."
One player who won't be heading on the plane is West Ham's Jesse Lingard who was informed earlier today that he would be one of seven players brutally cut from the side.
Lingard has enjoyed a wonderful run of form while on loan at the Hammers but fell victim to England's wealth of attacking options.
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood was forced to pull out of the squad due to an underlying injury.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is another to miss out alongside Brighton's Ben White and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse.
Sheffield United's Aaron Ramsdale is the keeper who will be sacrificed with Everton centre-back Ben Godfrey also out.
Boss Southgate admitted telling players they had missed out was 'difficult' - especially the in-form Lingard.
He said: “Jesse did really well to get himself back in the race because back in January he was a millions miles away from being considered for an England squad.
“He was excellent for West Ham and he plays so well for us - we have total trust in the way he plays. He’s reliable, he’s a great member of the group.
"He will play tomorrow [in the friendly with Austria] because we’ve got Sancho ill, we’ve obviously got a lot of players not available and he’ll start to help the balance of the team.
"He deserves that opportunity to go and show me that I’m wrong straight away.
"The lads that are with us are the standby list and we need to keep them match ready.”
He added: "You never want to give bad news. It's lovely to give people debuts and bring them into the squad for the first time, but it's much harder to deliver difficult news.
"James Ward-Prowse, who has captained the under-21s, and Ollie Watkins, who has had a tremendous season with Aston Villa.
"Their commitment and professionalism has been exemplary and it meant yesterday afternoon when I had the conversation with those players, although they were disappointed, they knew where they stood and the atmosphere around the camp has stayed positive."
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Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has made the squad despite question marks on his fitness over an ankle ligament injury.
Jordan Henderson also makes the grade despite seeing just 30 minutes of action since February 16 through injury.
Jack Grealish is another who will have question marks over his fitness after recently returning from three months on the sidelines.
Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham, 17, has been given the nod after a stellar season in the Bundesliga.
The midfielder, who made his Three Lions debut in November, is joined by club team-mate Jadon Sancho.
Doubts over Alexander-Arnold's call-up were raised when Southgate surprisingly excluded him for the three World Cup qualifiers in March.
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But it inspired the 22-year-old to raise his game as he helped Liverpool secure a last-gasp Champions League spot.
Southgate added that all of his players called up will be expected to play a key role.
He said: "The experienced players are the ones that know how to win and have been in tournaments before and driven the team.
"You need that balance. There are the young players that come in and give it energy - we're not taking any tourists here, we've got a squad which every one of whom is ready to play and contribute.
"That's really important because over the next nine matches we hope to be involved in, we're going to need everybody. That experience in the positional mix is really important."
Due to Covid-19, Uefa are allowing managers to change his final 26-man squad up until the first ball is kicked at the Euros should any player pick up injuries.
Southgate now has two more matches, starting with Austria on Wednesday night, to put his final preparations in place before the curtain-raiser on June 13.
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