England manager Gareth Southgate has named his 26-man squad for Euro 2024 and the Three Lions are the bookmakers favourites to lift the trophy, just ahead of France.

Having initially selected 33 players, Southgate trimmed the numbers to pick the players he thinks can go one better than they did at Euro 2020 – where England were beaten finalists.

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at those who made the cut.

Goalkeepers

DEAN HENDERSON (Club: Crystal Palace, Age: 27, Caps: 1, Goals: 0)

His only England appearance to date came in 2020 but an injury for Crystal Palace team-mate Sam Johnstone opened the door for Henderson for club and country, although it will most likely be a watching brief in Germany for the former Manchester United man.

JORDAN PICKFORD (Everton, 30, 61, 0)

Remains Southgate’s undisputed first choice and that will not change in Germany. Enjoyed a fine season between the sticks as his performances helped keep Everton in the Premier League. Always seems to shine under the spotlight of a major international tournament.

AARON RAMSDALE (Arsenal, 26, 4, 0)

Has kept his spot in Southgate’s ranks despite losing his place to David Raya at Arsenal. That is likely to change if he does not land a summer move elsewhere but he will be the most likely back-up should Pickford be sidelined.

Defenders

LEWIS DUNK (Brighton, 32, 6, 0)

An experienced campaigner with the Seagulls and seen as the understudy for Harry Maguire given his ability on the ball and his imposing size when defending. Will be a stretch to see him play a pivotal role but has earned his inclusion.

JOE GOMEZ (Liverpool, 27, 14, 0)

His form for Liverpool earned him a return to the international set-up in March after a four-year absence. Can be deployed across the defence and will be seen as Southgate’s utility man at the back.

MARC GUEHI (Crystal Palace, 23, 10, 0)

The Crystal Palace man suffered an injury that saw him miss the closing weeks of the campaign but, having established himself as the stand-in when either John Stones or Maguire is missing, his place in Germany was always secure so long as he could prove his fitness.

EZRI KONSA (Aston Villa, 26, 3, 0)

A stalwart at the heart of the Villa defence as they secured Champions League qualification, earning him his England debut in the process. Will also be seen as a defender who can operate in different positions, which is always key during tournament football.

LUKE SHAW (Manchester United, 28, 31, 3)

Was given every chance to prove his fitness having been missing with a hamstring issue since February. Southgate said it was a “long shot” to get Shaw to the Euros but his lack of options at left-back means the scorer of England’s goal in the Euro 2020 final makes the cut.

JOHN STONES (Manchester City, 30, 71, 3)

Has formed a strong bond with Maguire in recent years and rarely puts a foot wrong when playing for his country, can also step into a midfield role if required although that will not be expected in Germany.

KIERAN TRIPPIER (Newcastle, 33, 47, 1)

Accomplished playing on either side of England’s defence and that versatility could prove invaluable if England go deep in the tournament, especially with question marks at left-back. A fine season at Newcastle tailed off towards the end but another of Southgate’s mainstays.

KYLE WALKER (Manchester City, 34, 82, 1)

The Manchester City captain may be advancing in years but he remains an integral part of Southgate’s team and the first-choice right-back. His pace also proves an asset at both ends of the pitch.

Midfielders

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (Liverpool, 25, 24, 3)

Now registered among England’s midfield options despite still featuring at right-back for Liverpool. Southgate has stuck with the experiment, which has proved fruitful – especially against teams where England dominate possession – and he scored a fine goal in the win over Bosnia.

JUDE BELLINGHAM (Real Madrid, 20, 29, 3)

Absolutely stole the show at Real Madrid after moving from Borussia Dortmund last year and could be the difference between England falling short or finally getting over the line. Southgate will want him to be as instrumental as he has been for the LaLiga giants.

CONOR GALLAGHER (Chelsea, 24, 13, 0)

Has emerged as a favourite of Southgate’s in recent times and could yet be the man to start alongside Declan Rice and Bellingham in the opening game. Not always the most flashy of players, his work-rate and energy can sometimes be overlooked.

KOBBIE MAINOO (Manchester United, 19, 2, 0)

Has burst onto the scene at Old Trafford this season, culminating in a goal in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Shot from under-19 to senior level with England and shone on his first start as he was named man of the match in the March draw with Belgium.

DECLAN RICE (Arsenal, 25, 50, 3)

A fine first season at Arsenal following his club-record £105million move from West Ham last year. Now regarded as one of the best in his position, although likely to be deployed deeper for his country than he has been playing for the Gunners at times.

ADAM WHARTON (Crystal Palace, 20, 1, 0)

Standout performances for the Eagles having joined from Blackburn have seen Wharton join the list of illustrious midfielders at Southgate’s disposal and he made his bow off the bench against Bosnia on Monday. Could be a tournament where he experiences the journey rather than playing too many minutes.

Forwards

JARROD BOWEN (West Ham, 27, 8, 0)

Yet to break his international duck but is continually selected in squads by Southgate. Has been West Ham’s go-to man in recent seasons and will want the chance to impress in Germany.

EBERECHI EZE (Crystal Palace, 25, 3, 0)

Would in all probability have had more than three senior caps had injury not struck this season. Offers England something different to the other wide options and a potential impact player off the bench.

PHIL FODEN (Manchester City, 24, 33, 4)

Stole some of the headlines from Erling Haaland as he helped City to a fourth successive Premier League title – that in itself is no mean feat and Southgate will feel he has to find a place for Foden in his starting XI this summer.

ANTHONY GORDON (Newcastle, 23, 2, 0)

A livewire forward who enjoyed a standout campaign at Newcastle before playing a part in both March friendlies for England. Good enough showings to keep the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho out of Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad.

HARRY KANE (Bayern Munich, 30, 90, 63)

Quite simply England’s talisman and the main goal threat for Southgate’s side, his country’s all-time record goalscorer and heads into the Euros on the back of a fine – if trophyless – first campaign at Bayern.

COLE PALMER (Chelsea, 22, 3, 1)

Chelsea’s best player in a tumultuous campaign for the Blues. Southgate has a challenge to pick all of the best attacking options at his disposal so Palmer may be the one to miss out initially but did grab his first goal from the penalty spot against Bosnia.

BUKAYO SAKA (Arsenal, 22, 32, 11)

Missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy but has not looked back, becoming a regular for Arsenal and England, adding more goals and assists to his game along the way.

IVAN TONEY (Brentford, 28, 2, 1)

Came back into the international fold soon after his eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules ended. Toasted his first start with a goal in the 2-2 draw with Belgium back in March.

OLLIE WATKINS (Aston Villa, 28, 12, 3)

His goals fired Villa to a top-four finish and he will fancy his chances as the main back-up to Kane this summer. Can feature out wide if required but the depth of Southgate’s options in those roles mean he will mainly be seen as a central striker.