Everton starlet wanted by Europe’s elite, Crystal Palace’s £22m scoop and Liverpool’s next hope: All five uncapped youngsters called up for England provisional squad
Maybe a changing of the guard? Maybe. Gareth Southgate appears to have put his faith in youth, having included a string of emerging young stars in his provisional Euro 2024 squad.
It could be a sign of things to come from the England boss, with established names like Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling all missing from the provisional 33-man squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany.
Southgate, however, has made it clear that he wants to give opportunities to young people coming through the ranks. “We have young players with a lot of caps. There is no reason why young players can’t lead,” he said on Tuesday.
Anthony Gordon, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer are three players who have more than excelled for their team this season, and are among the emerging stars who have already made their debuts for the England senior team this season.
But the England boss also chose to include a quintet of uncapped players in his preliminary squad. Here, Mail Sport’s Joe Bernstein looks at their careers so far and what they could offer the Three Lions manager this summer.
Gareth Southgate has named four uncapped stars in his provisional Euro 2024 squad
It comes as established stars including Marcus Rashford (left) and Raheem Sterling (right) missed a call-up.
JAMES TRAFFORD (Burnley)
Goalie
Age: 21 years old
Eyebrows were raised when Vincent Kompany returned to his former club Manchester City to pay £19million for a rookie goalkeeper.
The experience failed to keep Burnley in the Premier League, but Trafford is still tipped for a successful career.
Trafford did not play for City’s first team but impressed during loan spells at Accrington and Bolton and arrived at Turf Moor having won the European Championship with England Under-21s – saving a vital last minute penalty.
He was dropped by Burnley in March after keeping just one clean sheet in 28 games and has not played since, but in the same month Southgate gave him a first international call-up to replace the injured Sam Johnstone.
Trafford is considered good with his feet and after the Clarets’ relegation, Newcastle and Liverpool are monitoring his situation.
Southgate has brought in 21-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford (pictured) who has signed for Burnley in 2023
Trafford is considered good with his feet and after the Clarets’ relegation, Newcastle and Liverpool are monitoring his situation.
JARRAD BRANTHWAITE (Everton)
Defender
Age: 21 years old
Everton are indebted to the 6ft 2in centre-back who was drafted into the team following a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa and went on to form an excellent partnership with James Tarkowski.
Branthwaite, who began his career at Carlisle, spent last season on loan at Ruud van Nistelrooy’s PSV Eindhoven and his future at Goodison Park looked uncertain until Sean Dyche called to replace Michael Keane.
There is now talk of a £55 million bid coming from Manchester United, with the Merseysiders needing to raise funds to alleviate well-documented financial problems.
Branthwaite is superb in the air, a force in both penalty areas and scored three times last season. Being left-footed, he could also be an asset to Southgate if England’s injury problems at left-back continue. He was a non-playing member of England’s European Under-21 champions squad and was called up by Southgate in March, although he did not play against Belgium or Brazil.
Jarrod Branthwaite (right) has had a sensational season partnering James Tarkowski at full-back for the Toffees
There is talk of a £55m bid coming from Manchester United for the defender (right) this summer
JARELL QUANSAH (Liverpool)
Defender
Age: 21 years old
Arguably the biggest surprise of Southgate’s interim squad, Quansah only made his Premier League debut in August but has taken to the plate remarkably well.
A towering centre-back who appears comfortable on the ball, Quansah spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers. Virgil van Dijk’s red card at Newcastle gave him an unexpected chance to play this season and he grabbed it with both hands.
The Warrington-born defender was on the pitch when Liverpool won the Carabao Cup this season and was selected ahead of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez to play in Jurgen Klopp’s last two games, scoring against Aston Villa and Wolves.
He timed his run to international recognition perfectly and Klopp was grateful for his consistency at Anfield when others were hit by injuries. “How many times he saved our backs in decisive moments,” said the German.
Another imposing centre-back, Jarell Quansah (pictured) made his Liverpool debut in August
Quansah took over for Liverpool amid defensive injury crisis this season
ADAM WHARTON (Crystal Palace)
Midfielder
Age: 20 years old
Having struggled in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers only four months ago, Wharton can now look forward to training with Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
One of the few significant moves of the January transfer window when he joined Palace on deadline day for £22m, Wharton made his debut against Brighton from the bench – but has started all 15 games since while Palace rose in the first half.
Adam Wharton was playing in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers just four months ago
The 20-year-old joined Palace in January and has been an excellent signing – showing his composure on the ball and being a powerhouse in midfield.
Calm on the ball, Wharton also enjoys tackling and it is his energy and industry that sets him apart in the engine room.
He outplayed Kobbie Mainoo when Palace beat Manchester United 4-0 towards the end of the season. That performance alone may have convinced Southgate that the youngster was worth a closer look.
CURTIS JONES (Liverpool)
Midfielder
Age: 23 years old
Without injury, Jones may have already earned England senior recognition after helping the Under-21s become European champions last summer.
When Jones first broke through, Klopp said “we’re going to have a lot of fun with this boy” for the way he runs with the ball and tries to make things happen.
Injuries have prevented Curtis Jones from securing a regular first-team place at Anfield, but he will now have the chance to showcase his abilities in Southgate’s England squad.
Injuries have prevented him from securing a regular first-team place at Anfield, including an ankle knock this season at a time when he was forming a good partnership with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. But Southgate kept an eye on the technically gifted schemer, waiting for the right moment to call him on.
