Euro 2021 Betting: 5 players on the periphery of an England call-up

Gareth Southgate will name his squad for the European Championships on Tuesday after months of deliberation. With the number of players available for call-up increased to 26 from 23 due to the impact of Covid, options for the Three Lions manager have increased sizably, with a number of the country’s fringe players in with a genuine chance of securing a spot on the proverbial plane. 

With this in mind, BettingOdds.com have taken a closer look at 5 players who could either hear their names read out in tomorrow’s announcement, or miss out on the tournament altogether. 

Mason Greenwood - Manchester United

Mason Greenwood is one of the brightest young talents in English football, and regardless of whether or not he gets the nod this summer, will undoubtedly go on to play a major role for the Three Lions throughout his career. An explosive end to his league campaign has seen Greenwood score six goals in his last eight league appearances for the Red Devils, which has in turn aggressively put his name into the frame Euro 2021 selection.

Greenwood’s raw pace and directness could pose a huge threat off the bench next month and his versatility is another plus point; Southgate could play him through the middle or out wide on either flank which would potentially cut out the need for another backup striker in the 26-man squad. This year might come too soon for the Manchester United prodigy, but he has certainly done enough to be in the conversation.

Odds to make the squad: 4/7 (BetVictor)

Eric Dier - Tottenham

It is unfathomable to me (and I’m sure thousands of others) that Eric Dier gets a look in to the squad for Euro 2021, but he certainly cannot be disregarded as a genuine candidate thanks to his affiliation with the national squad. After all, Southgate did call him up for the recent World Cup qualifiers despite his lack of regular game time at Spurs, albeit to leave him on the bench for all three matches. 

A stalwart in the Class of 18’s miraculous journey to the semi-finals of the World Cup three years ago, Dier’s versatility could see him called up to the squad for the European Championships. It’s well-known that he is capable of playing in the heart of defence as well as in midfield, which does offer plenty of options for the England boss where team selection and cover is concerned. The bookies are fancying him to make it, pricing the 27-year-old at just 2/1 to make tomorrow’s squad.

Odds to make the squad: 2/1 (BetVictor)

Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa

The backup striker’s berth is a position that’s been debated all season long and one that is between four - potentially even five - players if you count Patrick Bamford as a genuine candidate. With Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford all guaranteed a spot in the squad, the final position in the forwards department will be contested between the aforementioned Greenwood, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Danny Ings, Bamford and Ollie Watkins. 

Each offer their own individual qualities and each have enjoyed solid seasons for their respective clubs, with Leeds’ Bamford actually finishing the season with the most league goals out of the lot (17). Calvert-Lewin is still the bookies’ favourite for a call-up at 1/25, but Watkins’ form of late has made him impossible to ignore with four goals and two assists to show for his last nine appearances in the top-flight. But has he done enough?

Odds to make the squad: 2/1 (BetVictor)

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool

It seems crazy to be discussing the possibility of Trent Alexander-Arnold missing Euro 2021 after the form he has displayed for Liverpool in recent seasons, but after an underwhelming campaign in 2020/21, the Reds’ full-back looks set to miss out this summer, with sources in the media reporting that Chelsea defender Reece James will be selected ahead of him.

With Kyle Walker (1/16) and Kieran Trippier (1/3) playing vital roles in Manchester City and Atletico Madrid’s respective title-wins this season, the pair are all but nailed on for selection, and rightly so. Therefore, the battle is realistically between Alexander-Arnold and James for the final right-back slot, but with James helping Chelsea to an FA Cup and Champions League final this season it appears that he has done enough to nudge in front of his Liverpudlian counterpart for next month’s tournament. Who would you take?

Odds to make the squad: 2/1 (BetVictor)

James Maddison - Leicester City

Central-attacking-midfielders are one thing England are not lacking at the minute, with the likes of Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish all adept at playing in the creative No. 10 role behind the striker. Indeed, with Foden and Grealish used more as wide men at club level, and Mount potentially dropping deeper to partner Declan Rice in central midfield should Jordan Henderson miss out through injury, there could be a spot available for the Foxes technician at the Euros.

Maddison has had a turbulent campaign this time out, starting slowly before hitting a purple patch at the start of the year where he scored five goals and laid off three assists in the Premier League before getting injured at the end of February. Since his return in April, the 24-year-old has failed to score or assist in seven league outings, although with 10 goals and 11 assists overall this term, it is clear he still has plenty to offer the national side at Euro 2021. 

Odds to make the squad: 5/1 (BetVictor)