- A number of squad veterans have been sidelined or dropped ahead of Euro 2024
- Southgate first introduced the leadership contingent at the start of his tenure
- Click here to follow Mail Sport’s Euro 2024 WhatsApp Channel for all the latest breaking news and updates from Germany
England captain Harry Kane has been joined by Kyle Walker, Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier in Gareth Southgate’s new-look unofficial leadership group.
Head coach Southgate introduced the leadership contingent upon his appointment in 2016.
Former vice-captain Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling were all part of the group, but the trio have all been left out of the squad for Euro 2024.
And in the event of Kane being injured or rested, Southgate will pick from Walker, Trippier or Rice to wear the armband here in Germany.
Speaking last week, Southgate called on his young squad to take on leadership responsibilities in the absence of Henderson, Maguire and Sterling – and also Marcus Rashford, who was also left out.
Indeed, it will be interesting to see how England cope at a major tournament without the core of a squad that have led the national team’s unquestioned improvements during Southgate’s reign.
There is a noticeable lack of experience and, perhaps most worryingly goals, in Southgate’s 26-man party.
Eleven of the players selected are in single digits for caps won. Twelve of them have not experienced tournament football.
Kane and Saka are the only two players to have entered double figures for goals.
Even then, Saka’s 11 to Kane’s 64 is some drop.