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Championship clubs’ spending on wages exceeded revenue for a fifth successive season in 2021-22, according to a new report. Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance found second-tier teams’ combined wages-to-revenue ratio was an astonishing 108 per cent, as clubs continued to chase the dream of reaching the Premier League. Nottingham Forest, who ultimately succeeded in reaching the top flight at the end of the 2021-22 season via the play-offs, spent almost 200 per cent more on wages than they earned in revenue – £58.6million compared to £29.3m – in their promotion year, according to figures in the Deloitte report. Championship clubs’ total revenue was up 13 per cent in 2021-22 compared to the season before, reaching £676million. However, while wage costs fell for a second consecutive year, they remained higher than revenue for the fifth season in a row. Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “The glamour of Premier League promotion is spearheading the continual drive for investment in Championship clubs, often in an unsustainable manner, driving some clubs to overstretch financially. “It is critical that long-term decisions are now made by clubs’ owners and, with the introduction of the independent regulator, focus will turn to improving the distribution mechanism of revenues between the leagues and clubs. “This must be accompanied by appropriate governance and financial controls to ensure that any proposed solution is suitable and sustainable.” EFL chairman Rick Parry believes the disparity in revenue between the Premier League and the Championship has created a “cliff edge” between the leagues, and argues parachute payments are also fuelling inequality within the Championship. Deloitte’s report underlines the value to clubs of reaching the Premier League. Relative to the 2022-23 season, it says revenue from broadcasters is expected to provide a minimum uplift of more than £90m for Luton, approximately £84m for Sheffield United and £54m for Burnley, with both of those two clubs in receipt of parachute payments whilst participating in the Championship. The report said that should a club suffer immediate relegation, assuming they are not in receipt of parachute payments at that point, under existing arrangements the parachute payments from the Premier League will continue to provide an uplift over the following two seasons of at least £80m. For a Championship club not otherwise in receipt of parachute payments, the value of promotion will be at least £170m across the next three seasons and, if a club survives their first season in the Premier League, they will be entitled to three seasons of parachute payments and the incremental revenue will be over £290m across five years. Discussions over a new financial settlement between the two leagues are ongoing. The Government said in its White Paper on football governance that a new regulator will be given backstop powers to impose a settlement if one cannot be agreed, but it is unlikely the regulator will be up and running until 2024-25 at the earliest. Parry accepts that reform of the distribution package has to go hand in hand with cost control measures, which are also part of the ongoing ‘New Deal For Football’ talks between the EFL, the Premier League and the Football Association. What we really want to see in the English game is a variety and diversity of clubs coming through the league at different points in time Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group Bridge believes it is vital for the leagues to see the common ground they share to resolve the dispute on distribution. “The point I would make is that the longevity of the Premier League and the ability for clubs to move up and down between the Premier League and the Championship and to achieve variety in those clubs is a good thing for the overall brand and the marketing position of English football,” he said. “Part of the beauty of the Premier League is always that any team can beat any other team. And so at any one point in time, what we really want to see in the English game is a variety and diversity of clubs coming through the league at different points in time, bringing new storylines, bringing new faces to the league because frankly that keeps it fresh.” Wage spending in the Premier League in 2021-22 grew by £192m compared to the previous season, but this was outpaced by a £586m increase in revenue, meaning the top flight’s wages-to-revenue ratio fell for the second consecutive season from 71 per cent to 67 per cent. That is still a significantly higher ratio than the average of the three seasons pre-pandemic up to 2018-19 – 58 per cent. Across Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues as a whole however, revenue growth was outpaced by wages, which stood at 12.3 billion euros (£10.5bn). This comes at a time when the continent’s football governing body UEFA has introduced new financial sustainability regulations, including a cost control rule which by 2025-26 will limit a club’s spending on wages, transfer fees and other player and coach costs at 70 per cent of turnover. UEFA could go even further in the future, with president Aleksander Ceferin raising the possibility of a Europe-wide salary cap in an interview in April.

Callum Wilson revealed being dropped by both Newcastle and England fuelled his determination to fight back. The striker’s post-World Cup slump saw him confined to the bench at Newcastle as he scored just once in 13 appearances. It also saw him left out of the opening Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Ukraine and Italy in March. However, Wilson is back to face Malta on Friday before Monday’s visit of North Macedonia to Old Trafford after scoring 11 goals across his final 12 games for Newcastle to fire them to fourth place in the Premier League. He said: “I was finding myself on the bench and was used to playing week in, week out. All of a sudden, I was watching from the sidelines and coming on for 10 minutes at the end of the game. “I didn’t like that. You want to play. You work hard all week and then on a matchday it is where you want to perform and score goals. I wasn’t getting to do that and knew I had to make sure I was working even harder to get back into the team. “It was a weird one, playing a World Cup in the winter. Club and country is totally different as well. At the club you are playing regularly: week in, week out. “Here, it is a bit more difficult to get game time and you have to bide your time, be professional and make sure you are doing everything you can on the training field. “So to then go back into club football was exciting, really, as I had been away from it for so long and I was thinking I am going to start playing again a little bit more, especially as I was feeling so sharp as I was at the World Cup. “I tried to use it in a positive way but yes, mentally, you do have to reset because you go on a drought of scoring goals. “We went to Dubai for a mid-season training camp and we had five days there when we didn’t play football. “We got to sit back and think, ‘yes it has been a fantastic start to the season but it has turned into a bad season’ when I was out of the team so I had to basically pull my finger out and start scoring goals again.” The Magpies’ return to the Champions League after 20 years capped a successful season but it only sunk in for Wilson after he went to Sam Fender’s gig at St James’ Park on Sunday. He said: “I went to the concert with my wife at St James’ Park. There was a sea of black and white and, before he came out, he actually played the Champions League song and everyone was cheering and I was like, ‘this is absolutely real’. “I could see how much it meant to everybody in the stadium at that time. Hearing the anthem in the stadium, without actually walking out to play, was surreal. This is going to happen next season and I cannot wait to get started.” Along with his love of music, Wilson is also a keen art collector as he looks to build his portfolio. “I’m trying to add slowly at the right time. Banksy, Daimen Hirst, Tracey Emin, a few little pieces. Mr Doodle, I’ve got that one piece,” said the 31-year-old. “Art is art, isn’t it? It’s down to everyone’s personal preference. Me personally, I took a shine to it, in terms of investment side of things and then you actually start to get into it, ‘I’ll put that on the wall’. “I want to get something that’s got a bit of value and means something and try and find the right pieces at the right time.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Marcus Rashford couldn’t stomach Man City celebrations but England remain united Croatia reach Nations League final with extra-time win over Netherlands He was the main guy – Jordan James knew Jude Bellingham would reach the top

Marcus Rashford could not bring himself to watch Manchester City lift the Champions League – but the Manchester United star says club rivalries are left at the door with England thanks to the group’s “strong bond”. Erik ten Hag’s arrival sparked a marked improvement in the red half of Manchester this season, with February’s Carabao Cup triumph followed up by a third-placed finish in the Premier League. But City stopped United ending their campaign on a high at Wembley by winning the first all-Manchester FA Cup final as they stayed on track to replicate their rivals’ historic 1999 treble triumph. Pep Guardiola’s men did just that by beating Inter Milan in Saturday’s Champions League final – a match Rashford watched on TV, although there was only so much he could stomach. Put to the forward that Trent Alexander-Arnold turned off the TV when United won the FA Cup as he could not bear to watch Liverpool’s rivals lift silverware, Rashford said: “It’s exactly the same. “I like watching football, I like watching the best games so that’s what I did. “But after they win the game, I don’t need to watch them celebrating and all that stuff, so yeah, TV off!” City’s treble understandably sticks in the craw but there appears little chance of club rivalries impacting England like they did with previous generations. “It is going to be funny,” Rashford said of the conversations he was expecting with the quintet on international duty. “But, like I said, it’s congratulations to them and, for me, they deserved it, they played the best football this year. “There’s not much more to say about it, really. The talking’s done on the pitch and they did really well this year.” Asked if it is a strength of the England squad to go from bantering about club matters to playing well together, Rashford said: “Yeah, I think definitely that’s a part of it. “But there’s a strong bond in this squad and there has been regardless of which players come in and that’s down to the environment. “There’s not much more I can put it down to, so we’re looking forward to having them back here. “They’re obviously all really good players and we need them if we want our squad to be as strong as possible.” I don’t need to watch them celebrating and all that stuff, so yeah, TV off! Marcus Rashford on Manchester City's trophy celebrations While club allegiances will not put a spoke in England’s wheel, Rashford does not hide from questions about United’s place in the pecking order. For so long the dominant force in English football, the 20-time league champions are now playing second fiddle in their own city. On the desire to be top dogs once more, Rashford said: “I think that was always the aim regardless of their success this year or the previous years. “Let’s be honest, it’s not anything new – the only thing that’s new is that they managed to win all three. “They are a very good team and it’s not just us that are trying to catch up to them, it’s pretty much every team as well. “Is it a challenge? Yeah, but we can’t shy away from it. We have to face it and do our best next season.” Rashford says United’s players and staff spoke in the dressing room after the FA Cup final about the need to kick on again as the 2023-24 campaign quickly comes into focus. There are only 23 days between Rashford, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw playing in England’s final June qualifier against North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday and United playing their first pre-season match. It is a far cry from the full summer of preparation Rashford enjoyed last year, which provided a platform for him to bounce back from the most challenging campaign of his career. The rejuvenated 25-year-old went onto score a career best 30 goals in all competitions under Ten Hag, who the United forward credits for changing the mindset of the group and helping him find his fire again. “He came in and he wanted to win,” Rashford said. “I feel like at times we have lacked that ambition, as I’ve said before. “He wasn’t caring about getting into the top four, doing any of that – he just wanted to win trophies and when you strive for the best sometimes you are going to fall short as we did in areas this season. “But you have to look at the outcome. We managed to win a trophy and get back into the Champions League spots, get to another final and it’s definitely a progression from the previous year, or couple of years before. “He just managed to motivate me and just relight the flame that was missing.” Ten Hag’s United have put things in place to close the gap to City next season, but the interminable takeover saga continues to provide a dark, uncertain cloud over the Old Trafford giants. Asked if it is easy to block out the constant noise about it, Rashford said: “For me, yeah, because I am here with the national team, like I don’t want to be worrying about what’s going on in Manchester and stuff like that. “For me, it’s just the importance on these next two games and getting the job done while also doing it as well as we can.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Callum Wilson tuned up to secure England recall after Newcastle disappointment Croatia reach Nations League final with extra-time win over Netherlands He was the main guy – Jordan James knew Jude Bellingham would reach the top

Substitute Bruno Petkovic scored and won a penalty in extra-time as Croatia secured a first Nations League final appearance with a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in Rotterdam. The Dinamo Zagreb striker was introduced at the start of the additional period – just seconds after the Dutch had snatched an equaliser in the sixth minute of added time – and delivered a game-changing performance. Petkovic’s driving run and shot from 25 yards put Croatia in front again before the 28-year-old, who scored an extra-time equaliser in the World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, won a penalty for Luka Modric to make it 4-2. He also had a second goal ruled out for offside by VAR seconds before the final whistle. Croatia, who reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third last year in Qatar, are one win away from their first major trophy, with Spain or Italy standing in the way in Sunday’s final. They had to do it the hard way as they recovered from Borussia Dortmund midfielder Donyell Malen’s first-half opener by scoring with their first two shots on target after the break. Mario Pasalic’s 72nd-minute goal capped a turnaround started 17 minutes earlier by Andrej Kramaric’s penalty. But just when it looked like they could celebrate a place in the final, Noa Lang pounced to force extra-time. Eight minutes into the additional period Petkovic made his introduction count with the goal which put his side ahead again. Netherlands’ desperation saw them send Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk up front but their hopes were ended when Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia pulled down Petkovic and Modric sent goalkeeper Justin Bijlow the wrong way from the penalty spot. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Real Madrid have completed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year deal. Dortmund confirmed in a statement last week that Real have agreed to pay an initial 103million euros (£88.5m) to land Bellingham, who moved to Germany from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020. Now both clubs have announced the deal for the 19-year-old has been finalised, with Real adding that he will be unveiled in the Spanish capital on Thursday. “Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund have agreed on the transfer of the player Jude Bellingham, who will remain linked to our club for the next six seasons,” a Real statement read. “Tomorrow, Thursday, June 15, at 12:00 noon at Real Madrid City, the presentation ceremony for Jude Bellingham as a new Real Madrid player will take place. “After, Jude Bellingham will appear before the media.” Bellingham was recently named Bundesliga player of the season after his starring role for Dortmund, who missed out on the title in agonising fashion on the final day of the campaign. The 19-year-old paid tribute to Dortmund on Instagram, writing: “Where to start, for the last 3 years Borussia Dortmund has been the biggest part of my life. “I joined as a 17 year old boy and am leaving as a man. I cannot thank this club enough for everything it’s done for me. “The opportunities, the experiences, the highs and even the lows. All of it has been part of what has been a great development both as a human and a player. “I am honoured to have represented this football club as often as I have, I’d like to thank all the players, managers, bosses and members of staff that have played a role in my time at the club. “I’ll always keep a place for BVB in my heart and will never forget the impact the values of the club has had on my life. Einmal Borusse, Immer Borusse. I wish the club nothing but the best for the future! Heja BVB!” I joined as a 17 year old boy and am leaving as a man. I cannot thank this club enough for everything it’s done for me Jude Bellingham on Instagram Bellingham scored his first England goal in their World Cup win over Iran but is absent from the squad to face Malta and North Macedonia in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury. He has long dreamt of a move to the 14-time European champions and recently told the PA news agency that he sees the Champions League as “the biggest stage”. “The goal has always been winning,” he told PA last month. “When you ask me what my biggest ambitions are in the game, it’s to win everything. And I’m not afraid to say that. “You know, everyone should have that goal, I feel like, as professional footballers.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Nick Kyrgios reveals he contemplated suicide following Wimbledon defeat in 2019 Heather Watson beats ‘friend’ Tatjana Maria to reach Nottingham Open quarters Sensational Surrey pull off biggest County Championship chase in 98 years

David Brooks does not want to be picked on sentiment on his return to the Wales stage. Brooks is back in the Wales squad for Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Armenia – the first time he has featured for the Dragons since October 2021 when he was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma while on international duty. The 25-year-old winger announced he was cancer-free in May last year and returned to club action for Bournemouth in March, starting the Cherries’ final two Premier League games. Brooks signed a new four-year Bournemouth deal last August and says he must be chosen for Wales on merit. “I was out of contract this year before I signed my new one,” Brooks said. “Even before talks had kicked in I wanted to make it clear I wasn’t there for sympathy. “I don’t want to be there if I’m not going to play or wasn’t in the plans. “Once they saw me training and how I was determined to get back to, I did earn what I was given. “It’s the same with Wales. I don’t just want to be called up to be a spare part. I’m working hard to get back in the Bournemouth XI and be starting for Wales as well.” Brooks underwent chemotherapy treatment following his cancer diagnosis, the draining effects of which he has said left him with night sweats, weight loss and struggling to climb the stairs. Now he is close to peak playing condition – “I probably need to change a bit of the fat to muscle” – and says that returning to the Wales camp where he was diagnosed was a “very nice feeling”. Brooks said: “The first step after the treatment was to get back into the Bournemouth dressing room and be part of that. “As soon as that was completed, to get back in the Wales set up was the aim. The lads have welcomed me with open arms.” On meeting up with Wales’ chief medical officer, Jonathan Houghton, who detected that Brooks’ had cancer symptoms, Brooks said: “I do owe him a lot, he’s obviously done a lot for us. It’s always nice to see him. “Whenever my mum and dad see him they burst out crying and give him a big hug. I can’t thank him enough. “Getting that awful news drops and crushes your world, at that moment you hope it will get better and go back to normal at some point.” Brooks won the last of his 21 Wales caps against Denmark at the delayed 2020 European Championship in June 2021. His perspective on life might have changed in that time, with Brooks saying “he did not have a single care about football” when he was diagnosed “as I just wanted still be on Earth”. But Brooks said: “I just love playing football and so as soon as I got the diagnosis, that was snatched away in the blink of an eye. “But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t end up playing football. Football is not life or death, the main thing is being happy and healthy. “My ambitions haven’t changed. I still want to try and get to the very top. “The hunger and drive is the same for all the lads. We all have the same goal of reaching the Euros, the World Cup – that’s what everyone wants to play in. “There’s a lot of new faces, people I’ve not met prior to this camp, and a lot of new staff. “But the brief time I’ve worked with them over the past week, we’re all pushing in the same direction and trying to achieve the same goal.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jon Rahm looking forward to US Open test that has ‘everything’ Steve Smith holds fond memories of Edgbaston as he prepares for Ashes battle Michael van Gerwen down in the mouth over World Cup absence

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The end of the Premier League season brings about a change of pace and focus, a chance to rest and reflect on other matters...unless you’re a sporting director, of course. Outside of the playing staff it’s very much all systems go straight away, with the summer bringing with it the opening of the transfer window and a chance to upgrade, replace or revamp certain sections of the squad for every club - and this year will be no different. From Chelsea’s mid-season overhaul meaning a surplus of squad players to the usual host of names being out of contract, there will be lots of changes to keep track of across England’s top flight and beyond once the official registration periods begin. As the EFL note, dates for transfer windows have to reflect “alignment with other European Leagues” as well as Fifa’s decree that transfer windows can be open “for a maximum of 112 days in any one season”. And now fans know exactly when they can expect the unveilings to potentially begin at their clubs ahead of the 2023/24 season, with confirmation that the summer transfer window will open in the Premier League on Wednesday 14 June, with the final-day scramble for late additions seeing the window shut on Friday 1 September at 11pm. Among the players rumoured to be on the move within the Premier League are Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace winger Wilf Zaha, Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, and Leicester attacker James Maddison - while the saga of the summer could be around West Ham and England central midfielder Declan Rice. Liverpool have already confirmed the quartet of James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are departing, while the future of Man City star Ilkay Gundogan remains uncertain. Brighton will be hoping to hold onto a few of their excellent performers from this season, but Roberto De Zerbi has already acknowledged that Alexis Mac Allister is likely to leave. Newcastle are sure to add more quality to their ranks after making the Champions League, while Manchester United’s spending power could depend in large part on the club takeover and who eventually completes a purchase. Later in the campaign, the winter transfer window will open as usual on Monday 1 January, while that mid-season opportunity for additions will end on Thursday 1 February 2024 at 11pm. Meanwhile, the EFL has also confirmed their opening and closing dates for the 2023/24 summer and winter transfer windows and in both cases they align with those of the Premier League, with the same day and time for closing. Read More Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff leaving Newcastle When are the Premier League fixtures released? Jodi Jones relishing chance to take on England after overcoming injury despair

Brighton have announced the signing of James Milner on a free transfer from Premier League rivals Liverpool. The former England international has agreed a one-year contract at the Amex Stadium, with the option for a further 12 months. Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi told his club’s website: “I’m very glad to welcome James to Brighton. “He’s an excellent addition for us and I’m sure he will help to bring us to an even higher level.” Milner, who won 61 international caps between 2009 and 2016, began his career with Leeds and has also played for Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City. The 37-year-old won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during eight years at Anfield. He will join Brighton following the expiration of his Reds contract on June 30 and add experience to De Zerbi’s squad ahead of the club’s maiden Europa League campaign. Seagulls technical director David Weir said: “His experience speaks for itself with the amount of games he has played and the trophies he has won throughout a decorated career. “These games include European competition, which will be of huge value to us as we embark on our first season in Europe.” Milner is currently third in the list of all-time Premier League appearances with 619, behind Gareth Barry (652) and Ryan Giggs (632). The veteran midfielder, who can also operate at full-back, is Brighton’s second signing of the summer following the club-record arrival of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Watford. Read More When does the Premier League transfer window open and close this summer? Bellingham gone but who’s next? Midfield merry-go-round will define summer Liverpool begin midfield overhaul by completing Alexis Mac Allister signing

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Manchester City and Sevilla will meet in the Uefa Super Cup in the annual showpiece starter to the European season. The event has been played annually for more than 50 years, and sees the winners of the Champions League and Europa League meet at a neutral venue. Between 1998 and 2012, the Super Cup was held in Monaco, but for the last decade has visited different European cities, with Real Madrid beating Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki last year. While not considered a major trophy, the match nonetheless provides the two competing sides with an ideal chance for some early-season silverware and the chance to build momentum into the more consequential business to come. When is the 2023 Uefa Super Cup? Manchester City take on Sevilla in the annual meeting between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League on Wednesday 16 August at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis near Athens in Greece. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm BST. The match was originally due to be held in Kazan, but the Russian city was stripped of hosting rights in January due to the invasion of Ukraine. After securing their first major European crown, this will mark Manchester City’s first involvement in the fixture, while regular Europa League challengers Sevilla will make a seventh appearance. The Spanish club last won the Super Cup in 2006, recording a surprise 3-0 victory against Barcelona in Monaco. Atletico Madrid were the last Europa League winners to secure Super Cup triumph, beating cross-city rivals Real Madrid in 2018 to win the trophy for a third time. Read More Real Madrid announce transfer of Jude Bellingham from Dortmund for initial £88m Sportswashing is about to change football beyond anything you can imagine Bellingham gone but who’s next? Midfield merry-go-round will define summer

Euro 2024 qualifiers are well underway and Gareth Southgate has his squad together again for another two this month - and 14 June marked exactly one year before the tournament itself starts. While qualifiers will play a big role in deciding who goes in the Three Lions’ squad - assuming no incredible fall-off and they somehow fail to reach the extended tournament - performances during the new 2023/24 campaign should be the biggest indicator of who goes. With that said, it’s worth looking at who might be in pole position for a place in the final 26 right now and where the movement in a potential England squad could come from, both from those currently out of favour and those who might come from nowhere to seize a role next year. Here are our current selections, ordered by position and then ranking within each group. On the plane... Goalkeepers Jordan Pickford - The undisputed No.1 for Southgate, but with two challengers in the Champions League next term, he’ll need a big season of his own Nick Pope - Was one of the league’s top couple of goalkeepers last year; same again and he’ll be confident of a charge at a major role at a major tournament Aaron Ramsdale - Playing for one of the top teams will help his cause but needs more consistency to seriously trouble for the jersey. An easy pick among the three, though Defenders John Stones - From being a candidate to leave out a few years ago to suddenly being England’s only in-form and must-have centre-back...and he doesn’t even play centre-back for his club anymore Luke Shaw - If he’s fit, he’s in. Shaw has been excellent at times for club and country and there are not too many other left-backs who can match that Kieran Trippier - The right-back debate will no doubt rumble on throughout the course of Euro 2024 qualifying but Trippier looks a lock right now Kyle Walker - As above, the Man City man has proven his worth for England in a variety of tactical setups and is unlikely to be overlooked Midfielders Declan Rice - The definite lock-in to start in midfield, with the minor caveat that a summer transfer obviously has to see him settle well Jude Bellingham - As above, but a bigger talent. He’s also joined a bigger club though. Star at Real Madrid and he’ll be one of the first on the teamsheet for England Mason Mount - Hasn’t had a good year but nor has anybody at Chelsea really. Too good, versatile, consistent and hard-working to not be in Southgate’s plans Forwards Harry Kane - Captain and record goalscorer, he’s obviously starting Marcus Rashford - Won his place back for the national team at the World Cup but must continue to push on and maintain that level for next season too Bukayo Saka - Has nudged ahead as the right-wing starter and rightly so. Immense talent who has it all Jack Grealish - Playing regularly for Man City and winning everything so he’ll be in, though probably with a sub role still Phil Foden - Might be top of the “best of the rest” pile at present but there’s still the sense there’s another level to come from Foden. Perhaps next season we’ll see it more consistently Raheem Sterling - Perhaps in need of a reset and might get it under Mauricio Pochettino. Was a guaranteed starter not long ago so will still be involved Almost there... The players in favour and in the mix right now, but who must maintain fitness, form and consistency to make the eventual cut: Marc Guehi - To be blunt, nobody is absolutely assured of being an England centre-back beyond Stones. Guehi might not be likely to start but a place in the squad could certainly be his if he just...plays, and does it reasonably well for Crystal Palace Harry Maguire - At the other end of the certainty scale, Maguire would be in and starting if he had a club role, but he doesn’t. A transfer this summer has to go well Reece James - Perhaps just about third in the right-back battle at present is the Chelsea man, but he’s had real fitness issues over the last year and missed the World Cup too Trent Alexander-Arnold - The Liverpool man has been in wonderful form for a few months but has a Stones-type role for his club. For England, he still appears to have...not much of anything Ben Chilwell - Will make the squad if he’s fit as second left-back, but hasn’t had an international impact for some time now Jordan Henderson - One of the long-term squad members who might now be forced to look over his shoulder after a desperately poor season. Will be 34 by the time England play either their first or second game at the finals Conor Gallagher - As hit-or-miss as they come right now given his club squad role, uncertainty over even that and his own lack of regular place in the Three Lions’ squad Callum Wilson - Probably just about ahead in the race for the backup to Kane at centre-forward right now, but this specific backup role has been in a constant state of flux for about five years In consideration... Those who have been in recent squads, but either not fully seized their chance yet or need an upturn in consistency, top form or managerial favour to earn a spot in the 26 over another challenger: Sam Johnstone; Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings, Ben White; Eberechi Eze, Kalvin Phillips; James Maddison, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen Work to do... Whether through injury, loss of form or suspension, or simply Southgate preferring others right now, a handful of players have been in and around the squad over the past few years but look somewhat down the order of preference at present: Dean Henderson; Eric Dier, Conor Coady, Fikayo Tomori, Joe Gomez; James Ward-Prowse; Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin Wildcards... And finally, a few players who are either uncapped or have been in the international wilderness for a long spell - but showed good form in 2022/23 and could mount a real charge for a place if they begin 23/24 brightly... Solly March - A potential left-back alternative? The Brighton man delivered work rate and final-third contribution from a range of roles under Roberto De Zerbi Joe Willock - Competition for places will be important but so too could be big displays in the Champions League Sean Longstaff - The same as above, but slightly more combative and defensive-minded Jacob Ramsey - A potential door-unlocker who can play centrally or from the channels and has captained the U21s Harvey Barnes - Get a transfer, fit right in, score goals in Europe, get a shot at a shirt. Job done Dwight McNeil - Might need a few wide attackers to fall off the grid before he’s considered but don’t rule the Everton man out entirely Emile Smith Rowe - Remember him?! Needs a massive season, but certainly has the technical ability Morgan Gibbs-White - The most out-there shout in terms of top-level experience, but he was genuinely excellent for Nottingham Forest last year Read More Jodi Jones relishing chance to take on England after overcoming injury despair Rashford underlines commitment to England after missing recent games Eze in line for long-awaited England debut after setbacks of most brutal timing Eberechi Eze feels injury nightmare gave him platform for England recognition Jude Bellingham uses pain of England’s near misses in bid for Euro 2024 glory Pretty Woman makes Pep Guardiola’s day as Julia Roberts hails Man City champions