England Euro 2024 Squad Odds: Adam Wharton and Jadon Sancho 6/1 to be on the plane

We are now just under two weeks away from finding out which players England manager Gareth Southgate will select in his Euro 2024 squad. It was confirmed last week that nations will be able to select 26 players for this tournament, which gets underway in Germany on June 14. 

Excitement is building ahead of the first match, and England will be hoping to go deep into a competition which they have never won before. The attacking talents at Southgate’s disposal are simply world class, but there could also be some surprise picks in more defensive areas. Betfred have priced up the odds for individual players to be named in Southgate’s 26-man squad on May 21, and we’ve run through a few of the selected contenders. 

The usual suspects, such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are all priced at 1/33, and they are all certainties to make the squad, barring any late injuries. But the more interesting prices come from the fringe players, and I think there is some real value in this market. 

Let’s make our way down the list, starting with the left-backs. Ben Chillwell (4/9) and Luke Shaw (1/2) are both decent shouts, even if they have both had their injury issues. Simply put, England don’t have any other natural left-backs with international experience, and realistically, Southgate is going to have to pick both - like it or lump it. Levi Colwill is a potentially cover option at both centre-back and left-back, and at 2/1 I think he is worthy of consideration given his breakthrough season at Chelsea. 

The 'race' to be England third-choice goalkeeper is also worth keeping an eye on. Nick Pope is currently 4/7, Dean Henderson 7/4 and Jack Butland 7/2 if you have a particularly fancy there. I'd probably choose Henderson if pushed, given Pope's injuries, and his and Palace's upturn in form.

There are a whole heap of attacking stars in this squad, but defensively England are weak and this is where we can hunt for some more value. Lewis Dunk didn’t have the best game when he last played for the Three Lions, but he has been given more exposure to international football than many of his competitors. At 1/1, I think he will probably make the squad. Behind John Stones and Harry Maguire, there lies opportunities for others. Marc Guehi should also be included at 4/6, but if Southgate fancies slightly more flexibility, then Ezri Konsa is a decent option at 5/4. 

As an outside shout in the centre of defence, how about Eric Dier at 7/2? He took England’s winning penalty against Colombia under Southgate, and is enjoying a spring resurgence in Germany alongside Harry Kane at Bayern Munich. At 30, Southgate may look to the younger players, but Dier represents a solid option at the back, and importantly boasts tournament experience unlike Konsa and Guehi. 

With 26 players, we can expect the likes of Anthony Gordon and Jack Grealish to both make it into the squad, at 1/2 and 4/7 respectively. I think Marcus Rashford is most at risk of missing out on the left wing, with his poor form a serious worry for the England manager. He’s probably left it too late, but another forward option is Champions League finalist Jadon Sancho. 

His move to Dortmund has reignited his career, but the issues that followed him around at Manchester United and his lack of gametime have ultimately cost him his place in the last few England squads. With the other options available to him, it would be a surprise, but Betfred are best-priced on him to be included at 6/1. 

Then we come to the man on everybody’s lips, Adam Wharton. Since his January move to Crystal Palace he has been sensational in the Premier League and England severely lack depth in the defensive midfield area. He is also priced at 6/1 to break into the 26, having made just one appearance for England’s U21s. Kobbie Mainoo by comparison, is priced at 4/11 after making his international debut back in March.

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