4 players led by captain Harry Kane included in England’s new ‘leadership group’ - Reports

England manager Gareth Southgate has named a new-look leadership group for Euro 2024 led by skipper Harry Kane. Alongside the Bayern Munich superstar, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Kyle Walker are part of the four-man leadership group, as per the Madrid Zone.

The Three Lions begin their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday, June 16 when they take on Serbia. Gareth Southgate has named a relatively young side this time out, leaving out several experienced players.

While Harry Kane has been England's skipper for a while, the likes of Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling have been prominent figures in the dressing room. All three of them have been overlooked by Southgate while naming his squad for the Euros.

It's no wonder Kyle Walker has been included in the leadership group given his experience at the highest level. Declan Rice, despite being just 25, already has 51 caps to his name and is one of the undisputed starters in the side.

Jude Bellingham's inclusion in England's leadership group is pretty surprising given he is still just 20 years of age. However, he has already established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world and is a pivotal player for the Three Lions.

England have 12 players in their squad who will be playing the first major tournament in their career. They are among the favorites to clinch the trophy this time out having finished runners-up to Italy in the last edition of the Euros.

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Gary Neville believes England manager Gareth Southgate won't start midfielder despite being a fan

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has claimed that England manager Gareth Southgate is a fan of Conor Gallagher. However, he reckons the Three Lions boss won't start the Chelsea star against Serbia due to a potential backlash.

Southgate has a number of options to choose from as Declan Rice's partner in the middle of the park. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo and Conor Gallagher are all among the candidates.

Neville believes that Alexander-Arnold will start alongside Rice instead of Gallagher even though Southgate is clearly a fan of the latter. He said on the Overlap (via Metro):

"I’ve got this feeling that Gareth loves Gallagher. He may not throw him at us in game one because he might think that will set off on a negative tone of putting Gallagher alongside Rice with Bellingham advanced. Personally, the team I think he wants to go for, is that (Pickford-Walker-Stones-Guehi-Trippier-Rice-Gallagher-Bellingham-Saka-Kane-Foden). For me, I think where Gareth is going to end up, is to get that extra runner, the one that can go and take the ball off people because he [Gallagher] is really good at that."

Neville added:

"I think he wants him in, but I don’t think he’ll start to start with. I think he’ll put Trent [Alexander-Arnold] in as that will almost be deemed as an acceptable bridge between giving us Foden, Bellingham and Rice and what will be the more, it’s not as sexy, is it, Conor Gallagher, with respect."

Conor Gallagher was among the best players for Chelsea last season despite his future being up in the air. The England international has his current deal at Stamford Bridge expiring in 2025 and has been strongly linked with an exit.