7 Players Gareth Southgate Should Take a Serious Look at - But Probably Won't - Ahead of Euro 2020

​The 2020 European Championship is firmly on the horizon, Coronavirus pending, which means we're ever closer to learning which 23 players will make Gareth Southgate's England squad.

The former Middlesbrough boss has shown loyalty to a number of players during his two and a half year reign, but unlike his predecessors, his more controversial picks have invariably paid off.

Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker have excelled at times in Southgate's flexible tactical system, and his perseverance with Ross Barkley - often selected ahead of the more talked about Mason Mount, James Maddison and Jack Grealish - has seen the Chelsea midfielder score more than half of England’s goals from midfield in 2019.

But while his decisiveness in sticking with those players has been fruitful, it does inevitably mean that players who are perhaps deserving a call-up to the squad are yet to be given a regular opportunity to shine.

Here, 90min runs the rule over seven players who are on the periphery of the England setup, that perhaps should - but probably won't be - considered for a spot this summer...

Fikayo Tomori 

(Chelsea, 1 cap)

Yes, Tomori did play in England's last international - the Three Lions' final qualification game against Kosovo - but that appearance was a 12 minute cameo at right-back, when he was playing regularly at Chelsea.

The Canadian-born 22-year-old quickly became a favourite under Frank Lampard, and it's no surprise considering the England legend managed Tomori's successful loan spell at Derby County last season.

Injuries have taken their toll recently, though, and he's been unable to force his way back into the side. He does possess plenty of pace, but not playing so often at club level is likely to hinder his chances of partnering Harry Maguire.

That said, he's worth keeping eyes on for the remainder of the season.

Ben Foster 

(Watford, 8 caps)

England fans have an exaggerated obsession for playing whoever is youngest. In that respect, Ben Foster is exceedingly unlikely to ever play for England again.

It doesn’t mean he shouldn’t though, quite the opposite. Foster has put in some jaw-dropping displays for ​Watford since re-joining the club in 2018. An expert in dealing with powerful shots, especially from close range, Foster is high up on the list of ​Premier League goalkeepers with the most clean sheets this season. Nine of those puts him three above current England No 1 ​Jordan Pickford at ​Everton.

He’s also got one World Cup clean sheet from one attempt. Pickford has one from seven. You do the maths.

Dwight McNeil 

(Burnley, Uncapped)

People have been tipping Burnley's Dwight McNeil for big things for a long time, so it's incredible to think that ​he's still only 20 years of age.  

In March, McNeil took part in a senior England training session ahead of the Three Lions’ thumping wins over Czech Republic and Montenegro, and it's understood that he impressed all those in attendance, even sitting Harry Maguire down with a neat piece of skill.

A tricky wide man with the ability to cut inside, hug the touchline and whip in a dangerous cross, McNeil has many strings to his bow - and he's likely to get better with age. A Manchester United academy graduate, he'll force his way in at some point, but you get the feeling it won't be yet....even though Southgate and co should probably be watching. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek 

(Chelsea, 10 caps)

Being able to watch Ruben L​oftus-Cheek has been rather troublesome this season, as he's failed to play for club or or country since rupturing his Achilles back in May.

But prior to that devastating injury blow, he was starting to show just how good he could be, particularly in the Blues' run to the Europa League final, which they went on to win in his absence.

Loftus-Cheek also excelled on his international debut against Germany in 2017, offering a decisiveness and directness in midfield that had been sorely lacking. He likely won't get the required game time under his belt to be considered, but if Southgate even has the slightest of doubts over his midfield options, he should head back to west London for another look.

Danny Ings 

(Southampton, 1 cap)

When ​Danny Ings last played for England, the team were strutting to a tenth straight victory during Euro 2016 qualifying and Ings had recently moved to Liverpool, where he wasn't all that successful.

Fast forward four years and Ings is flying, netting endless amounts of goals for Southampt​on while proving he's one of the sharpest finishers in the top flight.

Only four men have scored more than Ings' 15 goals this season, with his improved mobility and ability to bring others into the game coming to the fore. But with so many options at Southgate's disposal, that still may not be enough - even though he should be under serious consideration.

Aaron Ramsdale 

(Bournemouth, Uncapped)

All the noise regarding a potential new England No 1 is coming from Yorkshire, with many calling for Sheffield United loanee Dean Henderson to replace Pickford in goal.

While he's impressed in the steel city, there's been another keeper flying under the Premier League radar; in the form of Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. 

Like Foster, the England Under-21 star is a fabulous shot-stopper, and has made his way through the international youth ranks. Starting goalkeepers in the Premier League are rarely English, and, when they are, they almost always end up in the England team. 

That doesn’t mean they all merited the phone call, but Ramsdale does.

Lewis Dunk 

(Brighton, 1 cap)

Lewis Dunk is a club legend at ​Brighton, coming through the ranks to establish himself as a senior player over the last decade.

Starting off in League One, he's now a Premier League regular, captaining his boyhood club while pushing for another England call-up to follow the single cap he picked up in Wayne Rooney’s farewell match back in November 2018.

Like ​Eric Dier, he possesses an unexpected talent from set pieces and is prone to scoring a number of headers from set pieces, like John Terry in years gone by. Perhaps the best fit to go alongside Maguire, Dunk is a player for the present and the future - but Southgate will likely have his notepad elsewhere.