England will go again at Euro 2024 but the squad could do with a refresh in those 18 months, starting with an Arsenal back-up whose fortunes have turned.
10) Max Kilman
The agonising but necessary phasing out of Harry Maguire begs the question as to who takes his place. Therein lies part of the problem: England’s relatively shallow pool of options at centre-half.
With 18 months to the next international tournament, the hope would be for Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi, Ben White, Joe Gomez or any of those excellent players on the periphery of the squad to be given a proper chance and clear run at establishing themselves in the starting line-up.
But there is an opportunity for someone to force their way into the reckoning under Gareth Southgate, who might finally consider breaking up his trusted defensive partnership. Maguire and John Stones both have 53 England caps under the manager, with Eric Dier (37), Tyrone Mings (17) and Gary Cahill (13) next in terms of outright centre-halves. Change is long overdue.
Max Kilman could exploit that gap, described as “very much on our radar” by Southgate in March and “one of a number that we tracked closely”. If Julen Lopetegui – no, you had to check who the Wolves manager was – can restore his new club and, by extension, Kilman to something close to their former heights, the 25-year-old could theoretically be a natural fit as that most coveted commodity: a left-footed centre-half.
9) Rico Henry
A fine tournament from Luke Shaw should cement his place at left-back but England went into a World Cup quarter-final against reigning champions France with Kieran Trippier as back-up. The 32-year-old has been a brilliant member of this squad and his renaissance with Atletico Madrid and Newcastle warrants his inclusion, but not as an out-of-position understudy.
There is the Ben Chilwell factor; the Chelsea defender could renew that healthy competition with Shaw upon his return from injury. But even with Tyrick Mitchell lurking, it is worth rewarding Rico Henry’s excellence with an opportunity. England could benefit from that consistent influence in open play from a 25-year-old whose one-on-one defending is among the best around.
8) Jacob Ramsey
Rio Ferdinand had the Aston Villa midfielder in his World Cup squad and expects “big, big, big clubs, far bigger than Aston Villa, with all due respect,” to come calling soon. Jamie Carragher once said Jacob Ramsey “doesn’t look like a young kid playing in…
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