We’ve started to look at the options that Gareth Southgate has available for his Euro 2021 England squad and what odds the bookies are placing on each player to be part of the 23-man team.
This time, we’re taking a final look at the defence and looking at the options that Gareth Southgate has at right-back.
We’ve provided bet slip links that will take you to the relevant slip for each player should you wish to back them.
Please note the odds are correct as of 12/01/21.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is the second shortest-priced full-back after Ben Chilwell to make England’s Euro 2021 squad.
Since making his debut for Liverpool in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has made a name for himself as one of the best players in Europe and is the perfect example of a modern full-back. Whilst the England man may be more known for his ability in the attacks, Alexander-Arnold has kept 61 clean sheets in his Liverpool career, whilst also being involved in 47 goals in 153 appearances.
The 22-year-old right-back was instrumental in Liverpool winning the league title for the first time in 30 years last campaign, with 17 goal contributions and 14 clean sheets to his name.
Over the past few internationals, Gareth Southgate has been rotating the right-back position, with Kieran Trippier, Reece James and Alexander-Arnold being given chances to impress for the Three Lions.
However, it does seem the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man Trippier is still the go-to and he has made two appearances at right wing-back, and three at left wing-back in England’s last six UEFA Nations League Group A matches.
Trippier had an impressive debut season at Atletico Madrid last campaign, and this season, he has been involved in nine clean sheets in 13 appearances for Diego Simeone's side, who are now the favourites to win La Liga.
However, the England international has recently been banned for 10 weeks which could complicate his selection to the squad. As of now, the ban has been put on hold as investigations continue, but if the ban is to continue within the next month, it may mean missing much of the remaining season.
This may be the deciding factor, and if the form of other right-backs continues at the same time, Trippier might find his England career come to a close this summer.
Kieran Trippier is priced at 8/11 to make it into the Euro 2021 squad.
Last season, Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka was labelled as the "best one-on-one full back in the world" by Jamie Carragher.
The man known as 'The Spider', has been living up to his name in all its glory since his move to United, with the Englishman making more tackles than anybody else in each of the last three Premier League seasons. The likes of Raheem Sterling and other global superstars down the left flank have struggled against the elite right-back, with Wan-Bissaka's immense tackling ability too much to handle.
Staggeringly, the closest Wan-Bissaka has come to making an appearance for England was receiving a call-up for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kosovo and Bulgaria back in September 2019, but he was forced to withdraw with a back injury.
The 23-year-old has not featured in an England squad since and having represented DR Congo U20 back in 2015, there is the chance Southgate could miss out on arguably the best defensive right-back in world football pretty soon.
Ahead of Euro 2021, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is priced at 5/1 to be selected for the England squad.
Kyle Walker is a difficult one to call as it depends on what position he will be playing, but at the same time, this is arguably what could get him in the 23-man squad.
During the 2018 World Cup, Southgate favoured a formation with three central defenders, with Walker being the right-sided choice along with Harry Maguire and John Stones on his left. For the Euro 2021 qualifiers, on the other hand, Southgate went with the 4-3-3 formation, with Walker not featuring in any of England’s last six games, and even failing to get a call-up in some international breaks during 2020.
It may not depend on whatever formation Southgate goes for, as the versatile Walker may end up being an integral part of the England setup in the defence due to his nature of playing in a variety of roles.
Kyle Walker is priced at 5/6 to be chosen by Southgate to represent England at Euro 2021.
Chelsea's Reece James has continued to impress since returning to the club following his impressive loan spell at Wigan Athletic two seasons ago, keeping 12 clean sheets in the Premier League, as well as scoring three goals and assisting six in 53 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
James has represented England at U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels and has shown further progression by earning three caps for the senior side. Most recently, James represented his country against Belgium and Denmark in October last year, playing the full 90 minutes in the both and put a real marker down at that position for the future.
Time will tell whether or not he will be England's main man at the right-back, but if his form continues, he may end up brushing aside Tripper or Wan-Bissaka for a call-up.
Reece James has the odds of 8/13 to go to the Euros as part of Southgate's squad.
Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland Niles is an outsider to get into the England setup for Euro 2021, having been selected for the last three UEFA Nations League squads, playing a total 44 minutes over three caps for the national side.
The 23-year-old has been used rather sparingly by Mikel Arteta this season, despite often impressing when being given the nod at right wing-back or left wing-back for the Gunners, but playing just 420 minutes worth of Premier League football this season.
Maitland-Niles stands an outside chance due to his versatility as he can play on both sides of the pitch, as well as being able to play as a central midfielder.
The Arsenal full-back is priced at 10/1 to make the cut for Southgate's Euro 2021 squad.
Brighton & Hove Albion right-back Tariq Lamptey has been one of the most impressive young players in the Premier League since the start of the season. The 20-year-old has proved to be an important attacking outlet down the right-hand side for the Seagulls this campaign, scoring one goal, as well as making three assists in 11 appearances.
However, there would most likely need to be injuries to some of those above Lamptey in the England pecking order, in order for him to make the squad. The England U21 man is yet to make an appearance for the senior side having played just twice for the Under 21s, but his form this season for Brighton has certainly gave the youngster a chance of being considered.
Lamptey is priced at 16/1 to make the 23 man squad for the Euros.
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