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6 months ago
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Anthony Gordon finally got his chance with England in March.
Called up into the senior squad for the first time, the Newcastle United winger impressing when starting against Brazil. Then following that up with a lively cameo when introduced in the 80th minute against Belgium.
It was no more than Anthony Gordon deserved.
Last summer he was named player of the tournament after leading England to under 21s Euros glory.
Then following that up with a stellar season with Newcastle United on a personal basis, having scored eleven goals in all competitions and in the Premier League has been averaging far better than once every two games when it comes to direct goal involvements, having already scored ten and got nine assists in 31 PL starts (and one PL sub appearance).
The reality was though, at least in my opinion, that Anthony Gordon needed to make that March squad with England, to have any chance of getting on the plane to Germany in June. It would have been so cruel if he had missed this first England senior opportunity but it nearly did, when forced off with injury against Chelsea, less than 72 hours before Gareth Southgate named his squad.
Anyway, now there is more positive news for Anthony Gordon (and other Newcastle United hopefuls), with now an update (see below) that UEFA committee have now confirmed that the allowed squad size for these Euros in Germany this summer will be 26 players, as has been the case with the last two tournaments (Euros and World Cup) for England (and their rivals). The UEFA plan had been to reduce it to 23 players for these 2024 Euros but the likes of Gareth Southgate and (Holland’s) Ronald Koeman have been very vocal in saying it makes no sense to make this reduction.
Obviously having 26 spaces instead of 23 will significantly increase the chances of players on the outer edges of their national squads. Personally, I think Anthony Gordon must surely have done enough for club and country this season, to go to Germany, regardless of whether it was a 23 or 26 man squad.
However, a 26 man squad will now surely guarantee that for sure with Gordon. Kieran Trippier will also be on the plane regardless, whilst if Nick Pope proves his fitness, then it would be daft if Gareth Southgate doesn’t take him. Could others such as Callum Wilson make late challenges? Who knows. However, a few extra spaces in the squad won’t be doing any harm to their chances.
I think in this day and age where for say Premier League games, we see squads of 20 every match, same for Champions League etc, I don’t see why UEFA could argue against 26 man squads for the Euros if that is what the managers want.
England play Serbia in their first group match on Sunday 16 June and if going all the way, they would be in the final exactly four weeks later on Sunday 14 July, which would mean seven games in four weeks. With all the extra matches and demands that are being put on players these days, with both club and international football wanting them to play more and more games, I think common sense has prevailed at UEFA (for once!), in giving the green light for these 26 man squads to happen this summer.
BBC Sport report – 3 May 2024:
‘Uefa has announced that nations will be allowed 26-man squads for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
The European governing body’s executive committee confirmed the increase from 23 players on Friday after the national competitions committee voted in favour of the change in April.
Teams were allowed 26-man squads at Euro 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 but Uefa had initially planned to revert to 23-strong groups at Euro 2024.
Expanded squads were also permitted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because it was played in the middle of the domestic season.
Participating teams do not have to name an extended squad but must submit a list of at least 23 players to Uefa by 7 June.
The news will be welcomed by several international managers who were critical of the idea of reducing squad sizes for the tournament, with Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman calling it “absurd”, external.
England manager Gareth Southgate had previously been in favour of 23-man squads but the number of injuries being suffered across the Premier League this season altered his thinking.
He will name his squad on 21 May, two days after the end of the Premier League season.
Euro 2024 begins on 14 June with Scotland taking on hosts Germany in the first game, while England’s campaign gets under way on 16 June when they face Serbia.’

 
