CHRIS SUTTON: Guide to Gareth Southgate's England squad

Gareth Southgate has selected his provisional 26-man England squad for this summer's postponed Euro 2020 tournament.

The manager now faces the difficult task of whittling the numbers down and brutally cutting out a handful of stars.

Here, Sportsmail's Chris Sutton offers his verdict on Southgate's squad and who he thinks should be kept on for the competition.

GOALKEEPERS

Jordan Pickford

Everton. Age: 27. Caps: 30.

Whatever you may think of him in an Everton shirt, Southgate feels Pickford has never let England down, so expect him to be our No 1 for this summer’s tournament.

Dean Henderson

Manchester United. Age: 24. Caps: 1.

The deputy who would have been the deputy’s deputy if Nick Pope was fit. Yet to start for his country, so he should be playing a supporting role.

Sam Johnstone

West Brom. Age: 28. Caps: 0.

Conceded the most goals of any Premier League goalkeeper this season as West Brom’s defence left him exposed. He is battling to be our emergency third-choice option for this tournament.

DEFENDERS

John Stones

Manchester City. Age: 26. Caps: 42.

An automatic pick as Southgate’s ball-playing centre back. He has kept silly mistakes to a minimum this season, forming a formidable partnership with Player of the Year Ruben Dias.

Luke Shaw

Manchester United. Age: 25. Caps: 9.

Disrespected by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. Now a potential starter for England against Croatia at Wembley in a few weeks’ time. He can defend and attack and deserves this call-up.

Harry Maguire

Manchester United. Age: 28. Caps: 32.

Touch wood he is fit, because Maguire and Stones are sure starters under Southgate, whether in a back three or four. Together they provide England with the best base we have.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool. Age: 22. Caps: 12.

He had his warning - previously dropped from Southgate’s squad - but he is back. If you want to pepper balls into the box for Harry Kane, you will not find a more prolific crosser.

Kyle Walker

Manchester City. Age: 30. Caps: 55.

If Southgate opts for 4-3-3 then there is no better option at right back than Walker. If 3-4-3, then he can be used on the right of a back three.

Tyrone Mings

Aston Villa. Age: 28. Caps: 8.

The left-footed option at centre back. Can give good balance to the team and Southgate clearly trusts this 28-year-old.

Reece James

Chelsea. Age: 21. Caps: 6.

What an embarrassment of riches on that right-hand side. James can slot into the back three or he can fly down the right as a wing back, like he does for Thomas Tuchel.

Ben Chilwell

Chelsea. Age: 24. Caps: 14.

He has looked at home when competing against the best in the Champions League. I’m excited to see how he handles the Euros, either as a conventional left back or left wing back.

MIDFIELDERS

Mason Mount

Chelsea. Age: 22. Caps: 16.

Mount is one of the game’s top technicians. He’s been a starter under all of his managers as they appreciate his work ethic - and skill, and so do his team-mates.

Declan Rice

West Ham. Age: 22. Caps: 15.

Come 1pm on June 13, when England’s line up to face Croatia is released, Rice’s name should be listed. He protects back lines as well as anyone in the Premier League.

Jordan Henderson

Liverpool. Age: 30. Caps: 58.

Henderson’s last appearance for Liverpool was in February because of a groin injury. This was a big call by Southgate, who clearly feels the 30-year-old’s leadership is needed.

Jude Bellingham

Borussia Dortmund. Age: 17. Caps: 2.

The Stourbridge Stevie G! We saw how he handled himself against Manchester City in the Champions League. I’d even be starting the Dortmund midfielder for our Euro 2020 opener.

Phil Foden

Manchester City. Age: 20. Caps: 6.

How can you not be excited by Foden? This 20-year-old is magic. He’ll use his balance to glide by opponents and he’ll pick up pockets of space to make something happen.

Jack Grealish

Aston Villa. Age: 25. Caps: 5.

A sure sign of talent is to finish the season as the Premier League’s most-fouled player. It means you’re so good that opponents will try to kick you out of games. That’s Grealish.

Kalvin Phillips

Leeds. Age: 25. Caps: 7.

What a debut season he’s had in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa. If England’s full backs fly forward, Phillips is great at knowing when and where to provide cover.

FORWARDS

Harry Kane

Tottenham. Age: 27. Caps: 53.

The captain, the leader and, if he can guide England to Euro 2020 glory, he’ll be a legend. After another Premier League Golden Boot, Kane is the first name on Southgate’s team sheet.

Marcus Rashford

Manchester United. Age: 23. Caps: 40.

I love seeing Rashford make those quick dashes behind opposition back lines. If any countries offer England space this summer, he can be the one latching on to those through-balls.

Raheem Sterling

Manchester City. Age: 26. Caps: 61.

After scoring 23, 25 and 31 goals in three successive seasons, Sterling didn’t enjoy as prolific a 2020-21 campaign personally. But the threat he carries is always worthy of a call-up.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton. Age: 24. Caps: 7.

Kane’s back-up. He finished the last Premier League season as the top scorer for headers and who knows? That could come in handy against certain teams at these Euros.

Mason Greenwood

Manchester United. Age: 19. Caps: 1.

A natural finisher who can use either foot. He brings energy to the final third and that makes this Manchester United teenager an effective option off the substitutes’ bench for England.

Jadon Sancho

Borussia Dortmund. Age: 21. Caps: 18.

I suspect we’ll see Sancho in the Premier League next season - and Borussia Dortmund will hope a good Euros adds to his price tag! He’s enjoyed a fine 2021 and got his reward.

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal. Age: 19. Caps: 4.

One of the shining lights of Arsenal’s otherwise snooze of a season. This teenager can be used as a left wing back or he can fit into a forward line seamlessly.

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa. Age: 25. Caps: 1 .

I would have liked to see Patrick Bamford make the 26-man squad, let alone the 33. But Watkins won the race because he’s enjoyed a great season and is a good all-rounder.

THE SEVEN I WOULD CUT

Aaron Ramsdale

Sheffield United. Age: 23. Caps: 0.

I was surprised to see his name in the 33 on Tuesday and I’d be as amazed if the Sheffield United goalkeeper makes the final 26. He can enjoy the ride, at least.

Conor Coady

Wolves. Age: 28. Caps: 4.

Coady was named man of the match in a 0-0 against Denmark, starring at the heart of a back three. Southgate likes the Wolves captain but he would not make my final 26.

Ben Godfrey

Everton. Age: 23. Caps: 0.

Southgate has been a regular attendee at Goodison Park and Godfrey’s versatility - he can operate anywhere across a defence - won him this call-up. He is uncapped, so this experience will do him good.

Kieran Trippier

Atletico Madrid. Age: 30. Caps: 26.

Southgate has seen how Trippier helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title. At least one of these right back options has to be cut, though, and that is Trippier for me.

Ben White

Brighton. Age: 23. Caps: 0.

Well this one came out of the blue, didn’t it? White is a talented boy and like Godfrey, he is versatile. He can play in defence or midfield, and that probably cost Eric Dier his place.

Jesse Lingard

Man United. Age: 28. Caps: 27.

To even be in contention for this England squad, considering the non-existent first half of the season he endured, is remarkable. But there is so much talent for Southgate to choose from.

James Ward-Prowse

Southampton. Age: 26. Caps: 6.

No Englishman produced more passes in last season’s Premier League and he is the whip-and-dip free-kick specialist. But he might miss out on the Euro 2020 experience.