England's Euro 2020 Squad: Meet the 18 Players Selected

England has officially announced its 18-man squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament. With some surprises and notable exclusions, let's meet the players who will represent the Three Lions:

The Goalkeepers

In goal, England has opted for a trio of experienced choices. Jordan Pickford of Everton, Nick Pope of Burnley, and Manchester United's Dean Henderson have all been included. Pickford is expected to be the starting goalkeeper after his heroics at the 2018 World Cup.

The Defenders

England's defense is led by Manchester City's John Stones and Manchester United's Harry Maguire. Chelsea's Reece James and Ben Chilwell have also been named, as has Everton's Michael Keane. Notably absent is Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has suffered from a dip in form this season.

The Midfielders

The midfield is where England has opted for some youth. Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, Mason Mount of Chelsea, and Phil Foden of Manchester City are included. Veteran Jordan Henderson of Liverpool also earned a spot after returning from injury late in the season.

The Forwards

England's attack is perhaps its strongest area, with the likes of Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, Raheem Sterling of Manchester City, and Marcus Rashford of Manchester United all included. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins also earned a surprise call-up after a strong season in the Premier League.

The Exclusions

Notably absent from the squad are some big names, including Alexander-Arnold and Leicester City's James Maddison. Other notable exclusions are Jack Grealish of Aston Villa and Jesse Lingard of West Ham United, who both had strong seasons but were left off the squad.

The Final Word

Overall, England's squad is a mix of experience and youth, with a strong attack and resilient defense. With expectations high for the Three Lions, fans will be eagerly anticipating their opening game against Croatia on June 13th.