Joe Cole leaves two shock names out of his predicted England squad for Euro 2024… as former Three Lions star claims Gareth Southgate needs to bring the right type of ‘character’

 Joe Cole has suggested two major stars could miss out on spots in the England squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is set to name a provisional squad just days after the current season ends, with debate still ongoing over whether there will be 26 or 23 players in squads for the tournament.

He will then trim down his side, with a number of key decisions still to be made, particularly in the forward areas.

And that is where Cole turned to when referencing two major names that he thinks should miss out on a spot on the plane to Germany for this summer’s Championships.

Speaking to promote the launch of the Topps official trading cards and stickers, Cole gave his squad predictions, with some suggestions sure to raise eyebrows.

Gareth Southgate will name a provisional squad just days after the Premier League season ends in May

Cole referenced the need for the right ‘character’ in the squad when the 23-man group is named

‘It sounds ridiculous but the character of the players comes into the thinking and what it means to them,’ Cole began. ‘I’m a big fan of Marcus Rashford, he’s hit big heights in his career but for no fathomable reason he’ll go on a run where people start questioning him again. 

‘For me, you only take Marcus if you’re going to start him. He’s at the age now that I think that’s where his mind is and I wouldn’t start him ahead of [Phil] Foden, [Harry] Kane or [Bukayo] Saka.

‘This is no defamation of his character and ability but at this time in his life and situation at United, I think he could be the one that’s left out. Also with Jack Grealish, I love him, but how can you take him ahead of someone who is playing week in week out like a [James] Maddison or [Jarrod] Bowen who is doing it and who is match fit?’

Grealish missed out on the last England squad due to injury, with the likes of Bowen and Anthony Gordon pushing their cases for inclusion, while Cole Palmer remains an option.

Rashford, meanwhile, played just 15 minutes across the games against Brazil and Belgium, with both players’ inclusions in the squad far from certain.

Southgate (picture) has a number of key decisions to make as he looks to deliver England their first trophy in nearly 60 years

Cole also picked which forward he would include out of Ivan Toney (left) and Ollie Watkins (right)

Another debate regarding the squad is who goes as back-up to Harry Kane, with Southgate likely to take only one extra forward due to squad size limitations.

Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins are going head-to-head for inclusion, with Toney scoring against Brazil. Watkins, however, has netted 22 goals this season. 

‘It’s the real tough one and I feel like one of them will be really disappointed and rightly feel hard done by,’ Cole added. ‘Toney took his chance, not just with his penalty but the way he played too. Watkins had a harder task against Brazil.

‘I would go with Toney, he’s got the mindset and something in him that tells me he can play for England. He’s not going to be panicking over a penalty, he’s the calmest man in the world and that comes into it too.’