Just over 100 days out from Euro 2024, Jack Grealish’s place in Gareth Southgate’s plans is beginning to come under fair questioning. If he cannot pick up his form between now and May, he may miss out altogether. England’s regular and trusted wingers have not needed to change since the last European Championships, but who will likely take Grealish’s spot if he falls out of favour? It seems the front runners are Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer, and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon. And let’s not forget Marcus Rashford’s seat is far from secure. 

Jarrod Bowen:

Whatever you think about Bowen, it’s hard to deny that he’s a highly effective player, especially in West Ham’s counter-attacking side. Bowen thrives at making runs beyond the line of defence to latch onto a through ball. He’s quick and smart, and he’s managed 14 goals this season doing this. 

Additionally, of the three wingers concerned, Bowen exercises the best defensive discipline and works hard off the ball to track back, too. 

One area of concern may lie in the fact that Bowen has been playing as West Ham’s nominal striker since the summer, and, in terms of England duty, that may dent his chances of going to the Euros as one of only four wingers. 

While Bowen may be as dangerous as any Englishman in behind defences, he’s less threatening coming short to get on the ball. This is undoubtedly something Southgate will look at, particularly with the recent switch from a 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 and the implications that has on his wingers’ duties to drift inside. Bowen will not be on the plane unless Southgate and Steve Holland can be convinced of his ability to pose a threat anywhere on the pitch. 

Cole Palmer:

The Palmer situation is a difficult one to navigate. Here is a player who has played in a struggling giant of a team in Chelsea, and been their most influential player. As a result, he’s been given an unusual degree of freedom to roam where he likes. Palmer needs to maintain a high work rate out of possession and demonstrate better positional discipline at times. 

Having said this, Palmer can play anywhere in an attacking line. Versatility is of real importance in the England camp, and Palmer couldn’t be much more comfortable than he already is on either wing or in central areas. 

A playmaker starting on the flank, Palmer is almost a combination of Grealish and Phil Foden. Palmer plays with a silk and swagger that teases defenders, and enjoys tight link-ups to play through the heart of a low-block — a quality England have lacked when facing stubborn defensive units. 

Palmer’s excellent understanding of the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ makes his low crossing a dangerous signature move. Most of all, he can capitalise on poor defensive positioning and rarely makes a duff decision on the ball. 

Anthony Gordon:

Gordon seems to have many haters, partly due to his casual persona and harmless arrogance, but this should not impact his credibility as an option for England at Euro 2024. If there’s one valid criticism of Gordon, it’s that he doesn’t really have a USP. What does he do most often?

Well, no one knows because he does everything. In fact, Anthony Gordon is one of the Premier League’s most unpredictable wingers. His supposed downfall is his greatest weapon. 

Gordon plays in a very well-oiled system, which counts in his favour for tournament football. Gordon also dominated the U21 Euros last summer… as a striker. How? Unpredictable movement, and arriving late at the back post.

Gordon (No11 above) often comes towards a teammate who doesn’t need a short passing option. However, in doing so, he’ll drag opponents all over the place, and by the time he has received the ball, dribbled, and passed it on, the opposition’s shape is all over the place. 

Gordon plays two moves ahead of defenders and knows how to drag them to wherever he wants in order to create space elsewhere. From here, he likes to engage in a wide one-v-one. He can go either way, and that’s why no one knows what Gordon will do from one moment to the next. 

It’s safe to assume whoever comes into the England squad will be a substitute rather than a starter over Foden and Bukayo Saka. This is where Rashford and Grealish have been excellent for England. Grealish can help settle the pace down and keep you in possession, while Rashford will stretch defences and work hard off the ball. With Bowen and Palmer, it’s easy to see when they’d each be brought into a match. It’s not so simple with Gordon, however. If Gordon is in Southgate’s plans already, it would be worth seeing him in action in the two March friendlies.