England squad live: Latest updates and reaction as Gareth ...

Gareth Southgate often sounds very convincing when speaking in public on pretty much any subject.

But on the Raheem Sterling issue? Not so much.

Sterling, capped 82 times by England — 55 of them under Southgate — a mainstay of the side from the 2018 World Cup to the European Championship in 2021 where he was named in the team of the tournament, has played only 150 minutes for his country in the past 12 months.

Is Sterling's England career over?

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Is Raheem Sterling being unfairly overlooked or have England simply moved on?

It is always slightly jarring for followers of the England national team when a footballer at the peak of his profession weighs up the pros and cons of playing for his country and decides, ultimately, that it is not for him.

At this stage of Ben White’s career, however, it did not feel like a monumental surprise when Gareth Southgate explained that the Arsenal defender would rather take no part in England’s final two matches before the squad for this summer’s European Championship is picked.

Nobody within the Football Association should have been hugely surprised either given the circumstances that led to White flying home from the World Cup, the day after England’s 3-0 win against Wales, for what the governing body described as “personal reasons”.

Why is White not an England regular? Danny Taylor explores it below

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Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph has decided to commit his international future to Spain over England.

Joseph was born in the northern Spanish city of Santander to an English father and a Spanish mother and is eligible to play for both nations. The 20-year-old has scored three goals in 10 games for England’s Under-20 side but has yet to make a senior international appearance.

Sources at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) — who asked to remain anonymous as they did not have permission to comment — say that Joseph is set to be called up for Spain’s Under-21 squad on Friday for matches against Slovakia and Belgium next week.

The RFEF has already received approval from FIFA for Joseph's change of association.

Read more below

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Mateo Joseph to commit international future to Spain over England

England manager Gareth Southgate has praised Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo, despite not selecting the midfielder in his squad.

There had been calls for Mainoo to earn a first senior call-up earlier today, following a string of impressive performances from the 19-year-old since recovering from an ankle injury.

Mainoo has been a mainstay in the United midfield since December, but has only played international football at under-19 level. He has made 22 appearances for United this season, scoring twice.

"I think that he's doing brilliantly for a young player and we're never slow to put a young player into seniors," Southgate said. "But he's only had a handful of games and you have to be very careful development-wise in making those decisions at the right time.

"So we think ideally, we should allow him that space to develop at his own speed. He's not at the point in terms of number of games that Jude (Bellingham) and Bukayo (Saka) were when they came in for the first time.

"But I repeat: he's doing really well for a young player. He's a good footballer — you can see that. And he's getting some fabulous experience with Manchester United at the moment. And he looks a really good character."

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

Gareth Southgate says Kalvin Phillips wasn't selected for the England squad because "his form hasn't been good enough".

The Athletic reported that Phillips wasn't included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for England’s international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium later this month.

Phillips was in England’s last squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in November.

The 28-year-old, who is on loan at West Ham from Manchester City, has struggled for consistency over the past year due to a lack of game time.

Southgate said: "Well, I think he knows exactly what we think of him. A good version of him is an important player for us and that's why we've supported him as we have.

"Unfortunately his form hasn't been good enough and I've spoken to him about that. He understands.

"He has all the attributes to force his way back in. He just needs to find that rhythm and confidence because there is an outstanding player in there."

Cole Palmer's summer transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea raised many eyebrows, but the 21-year-old has only impressed since his move to west London.

Last month, Liam Twomey and Mark Carey analysed what makes the attacking midfielder so good ahead of his return to the Etihad Stadium — check it out below.

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Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has spoken for the first time since it was revealed he will be part of Gareth Southgate's England squad this month.

Branthwaite, 21, will team up with the senior men's team as England prepare to face Brazil and Belgium.

He has been a regular in the England Under-21 side over the past year after impressing on loan at PSV Eindhoven during a loan spell in the 2022-23 season.

He returned to Everton last summer and has been a regular at the heart of Everton’s defence under Sean Dyche.

He said: “It is a dream come true. To represent your national team at any level is a massive achievement but for it to be the senior squad, I am over the moon and it is a dream come true.”

Anthony Gordon, the promising talent who joined Newcastle from Everton, finds himself amid a brief respite in Dubai in June 2023.

Just after scoring his first goal for Newcastle against Chelsea, Gordon's thoughts are consumed with his upcoming responsibilities at the European Championship with England's Under-21 team. Despite the brevity of his break, Gordon's mind remains fixated on his goals, driven by an unyielding determination.

Since his days in Everton's academy, Gordon has meticulously outlined his short-term and long-term objectives. Even during his holiday, he maintains a rigorous fitness regimen and reflects on his aspirations. His journey, marked by rejection, perseverance, and self-belief, shows his commitment to achieving success.

He has now been selected for the senior England squad. This is his story.

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“Clearly to come in for June now would be difficult,” Southgate said. “Others have been in squads and playing regularly.

“When you have a situation like that you’ve got to assess those who've been on the journey all the way through, we’ve done that over the years with various different situations.”

Gareth Southgate has spoken about the absence of Ben White from this England squad — despite the defender’s impressive displays for Arsenal.

“It’s absolutely the question you should ask,” Southgate said. “Clearly on form, I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be here.

“John McDermott had a call from Edu last night saying Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads.

“It’s a great shame, he’s a player I really like, a player we took to the Euros, a player I took to the World Cup.

“I spoke to him post-Qatar because I was keen to pick him, there was clearly reticence on his side. I don't know fully why that is. But I have to respect that.

“I want to leave the door open to him, he’s a good player, a player who can make a difference for England. But he’s not available to us.

“The only other thing I’d say is there’s no issue between us, and there’s never any issue with Steve Holland. That has been mentioned in articles, I don't like that. People can talk about me, and I have to accept that things get said and are false about me, and you have to stomach that, but I’m not prepared for that to happen for a key member of my coaching team.

“That is not the reason Ben is not available for selection.”

Gomez, 26, has impressed under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp this season, having deputised at right-back in recent weeks for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has also played at left-back during this campaign.

It is the first time Gomez has been named in an England squad in four years, having not been called up since October 2020.

If the England squad is a meritocracy then it’s hard to explain why Gareth Southgate has overlooked Ruben Loftus Cheek.

He has scored six goals from midfield since the turn of the year, showcasing all of his box-crashing talent in optimum physical condition. If Jude Bellingham performs as he has done for Real Madrid this season, Loftus Cheek would, at the very least, represent a great alternative.

Aside from Southgate doubling up on different midfield roles and the value placed on leadership and loyalty, his insistence on Jordan Henderson who has been on the winning side just once since leaving Al Ettifaq for Ajax is bewildering.

Here is your England squad for March's international fixtures against Brazil and Belgium:

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

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Gomez, Toney and Palmer named in England squad for matches against Brazil and Belgium, Phillips not included

Jordan Henderson has acknowledged that he made a "mistake" by moving to Saudi Arabia last summer.

Henderson, 33, ended his 12-year stay at Liverpool to join Al Ettifaq — but his stint at the Saudi club last just seven matches as he exited in January, before joining Dutch club Ajax.

“Everyone has an opinion, some more spicy than others,” Henderson told Dutch media outlet Parool. “That's fine and I am used to that. But people don't know the whole story. Only I know that."

Henderson described his move to Saudi as a "mistake", and reflected of his time there: "During those five months I learned a lot about myself. What are my motivations? Why do I actually play football? Football is something that is in my blood, I now know that. And the competition in Saudi Arabia is developing and will become bigger, but it does not suit me at the moment."

Henderson will be involved for Ajax in their second leg of the Europa Conference League last-16 tie against Aston Villa tonight, after last week's scoreless first leg.

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From the moment Cole Palmer arrived at Chelsea, he has demonstrated a good sense of timing.

With England manager Gareth Southgate watching from the stands in the 3-2 win against Newcastle United, Palmer put in yet another fine individual performance for Chelsea.

Palmer, who joined from Manchester City last summer, perhaps did not intend to get an assist when his scuffed shot was flicked in by Nicolas Jackson — but he still had to be in the right place to cause a threat from a poor Newcastle clearance.

He was usually the instigator behind Chelsea’s best moves and it was his magnificent strike that restored Chelsea’s lead just before the hour mark.

Not everything he tried came off, yet what Southgate might appreciate is that he always tries something out of the ordinary. That is what you want to call upon at the highest level.

When he came off, Thiago Silva, 39, gave him a seal of approval by patting the 21-year-old on the back. That speaks volumes.

Cole Palmer has been included in England's squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium, while it is expected that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins will retain his place in Gareth Southgate's ranks.

Palmer won his first senior caps for England last November in the European Championship qualification matches against Malta and North Macedonia, while Watkins returned to the squad in October following an 18-month international absence — scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 friendly win at home to Australia.

Palmer has enjoyed an excellent season with Chelsea since his £40million ($51.1m) summer move from Manchester City.

The 21-year-old is their top scorer this season with 15 goals in 36 matches across all competitions and has also registered 11 assists.

Palmer has predominantly featured off the right flank for Chelsea but has also played as a No 10 and a No 9.

He was added to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad for the November internationals following an injury to Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison and featured as a substitute in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

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Our West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas has explored Kalvin Phillips' issues since joining the club from Manchester City in January.

Phillips, who joined on loan after seeing little action in the 18 months at City following a £42million ($53.7m) move from Leeds United, is yet to impress in his seven appearances for West Ham.

He was at fault for Dominic Solanke’s opener three minutes into his debut against Bournemouth, made an error leading up Alejandro Garnacho’s second goal in the 3-0 loss to Manchester United, was sent off against Nottingham Forest as West Ham chased an equaliser midway through the second half of an eventual 2-0 defeat and, at the weekend, got hooked at half-time against then-bottom of the table Burnley, with West Ham 2-0 down.

Gareth Southgate, the England manager with an eye on his squad for the European Championship this summer, seldom attends West Ham games but was there for the latter fixture and would have noted Phillips’ difficulties. The 28-year-old was ineffective against a midfield duo of Josh Cullen and Sander Berge, and Moyes’ side improved after he was replaced, with the game finishing as a 2-2 draw.

Read the full piece below

Jarrad Branthwaite is on course to be named in the England squad later on, after impressing this season despite Everton's struggles.

Branthwaite is quick across the ground, better at covering in space and, as a left-footer, offers a natural ball-playing option on the other side of the pitch

Although Sean Dyche’s system prioritises direct play over ball retention, the ex-Carlisle United youngster showed during his loan at PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch top flight and Europa League last season that he can also excel in a possession-based style. He is in fourth in the Premier League for percentage of opposition dribblers tackled, joint-fifth for interceptions and 10th in clearances.

There is, of course, still room for a player of his age to improve. Branthwaite tends to dive into tackles, and gave away a penalty in November’s win at Crystal Palace with a foul on Eberechi Eze. Erling Haaland shrugged him off in the build-up to City’s second on Saturday. But the potential is clear, and his progress has been rapid.

Read more below about Branthwaite's impressive campaign and partnership with James Tarkowski

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James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, a defensive pairing outperforming Everton’s results