Jack Grealish could have been the showpiece in a Team GB XI at Paris 2024 (Image: Getty Images)
Great Britain will be absent from the men’s football event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, much to the relief of their potential rivals. Team GB fielded a team for the London 2012 Summer Games, but football’s governing bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland failed to come to an agreement over taking part 12 years on.
This will undoubtedly please their would-be opponents given the wealth of Under-23 talent emerging across Britain. Olympic football players must meet this age requirement, with the exception of three players who can be born before January 1, 2001, the cut-off date for all other members in each 18-man squad.
As was the case in 2012, England would inevitably dominate any Olympic XI, with a few exceptions from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Mirror Sport assembled an XI that worthy of contesting Olympic gold this summer, excluding those sidelined through injury and the majority of those who travelled to Germany for Euro 2024.
Goalkeeper: James Trafford (21)
Despite suffering Premier League relegation with Burnley, James Trafford’s reputation as a future England No1 remains intact. Rumours are rife the former Manchester City prospect could make a swift return to the top-flight this summer, with several Premier League clubs reportedly vying for his signature.
The 21-year-old’s performances last term were so impressive that he made Gareth Southgate’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024 before narrowly missing the final cut. However, he still stands out as the prized piece among Britain’s emerging goalkeepers.
Right-back: Rico Lewis (19)
Already a respected figure in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City plans, Rico Lewis edges out Tino Livramento for the right-back position due to the latter’s injury record. Despite being the youngest player in our potential Team GB XI, the senior-capped Lewis has shown maturity beyond his 19 years in one of the biggest pressure cookers in English football.
Lewis also offers the added advantage of being a viable midfield option, which would be invaluable given the 18-player limit at the Summer Games.
Rico Lewis could be a senior England star in the years to come (Image: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Left-back: Levi Colwill (21)
Like Lewis, Chelsea star Colwill has already gained significant Premier League experience in more than one position. However, the natural central defender assumes his makeshift left-back duties to maximise this Team GB line-up.
Colwill – who started last season on the left side of defence under Mauricio Pochettino and even captained the Blues to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United – has hit the ground running early on in his pro career. And his commanding displays would make him a key candidate to skipper any side in Paris.
Centre-back: Jarrad Branthwaite (22)
Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite could find solace in an Olympic line-up after his controversial omission from Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024. Despite many believing the Everton star had done enough to secure his place over Lewis Dunk, his was arguably the most surprising name left off the flight list to Germany.
Branthwaite might have had a chance at silverware this summer, however, had Team GB submitted a team to make the trip to France. The 6’5″ giant has been fervently linked with Manchester United in recent months, evidence of the quick progress he’s made at Goodison.
Adam Wharton travelled to Euro 2024 but didn’t play a minute (Image: 2024 The FA)
Centre-back: Jarell Quansah (21)
Another Merseyside-based defender who narrowly missed out on Euro 2024 selection, Jarell Quansah was unfortunate not to make the cut. The Liverpool prospecthad a breakthrough season at Anfield, making 33 first-team appearances in Jurgen Klopp’s final season with the Reds.
Like other Anfield starlets, Quansah has proved incredibly on the ball for a defender of his age, likely due to having Virgil van Dijk for a mentor. Moreover, the 21-year-old has demonstrated a certain goal-scoring ability after netting twice in 17 Premier League appearances last term.
Central midfield: Adam Wharton (20)
Many criticised Southgate’s decision to include Adam Wharton in the England squad for Euro 2024, only for him not to play a single minute. The Crystal Palace starlet has been fast-tracked into the senior side and earned as many senior caps as he has Under-21 appearances.
If it wasn’t for the standout performances of United’s Kobbie Mainoo, Wharton might have had a more significant role in England’s Euros campaign. And his midfield prowess could have been crucial in boosting Britain’s chances at gold in Paris.
Central midfield: Aaron Ramsey (33)
Wales legend Aaron Ramsey comes in as one of three over-23 selections having already participated in one Olympiad. He was part of the Team GB squad for London 2012 when he was still at Arsenal and just 21 years of age.
Unfortunately, they were eliminated by South Korea in the quarter-finals on that. Now back with boyhood club Cardiff City, Ramsey would have provided valuable experience and leadership in midfield, assuming he stayed injury-free.
Attacking midfield: Harvey Elliott (21)
Impossible to ignore for Team GB given his age and experience is Liverpool’s own Harvey Elliott. The former Fulham favourite was a frequent figure for the Reds this past season and boasts an impressive record for England’s Under-21s, scoring eight times in 20 appearances.
Elliott, 21, demonstrated towards the end of last season how he’s maturing into a dependable figure at Anfield, not to mention offering valuable versatility across midfield and attack.
Harvey Elliott has evolved to become a senior star at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Right wing: Jarrod Bowen (27)
Another player who could have had a hectic summer, Bowen would have been a prime contender to provide the attacking energy needed to make an impact at the Summer Games. The West Ham forward made two substitute appearances in England’s opening two games at Euro 2024 but didn’t feature again for his country this summer.
Bowen, 27, is at home on the right wing but could have posed a threat as a striker for Team GB. Instead, he got engaged to Dani Dyer after returning from the Euros.
Left wing: Jack Grealish (28)
Who better to spearhead the British attack in the land of love than a determined Grealish keen to prove himself? The Manchester City wizard was surprisingly overlooked by Southgate this summer, but the Olympics could have offered the perfect platform to show his former manager what he’d missed.
Brennan Johnson is a key member of Wales’ attack (Image: Getty)
Striker: Brennan Johnson (23)
Tottenham attacker Brennan Johnson once thrived as a frontman option at Nottingham Forest and could have been in the picture to rejuvenate the British team. Since joining Spurs last year, the 2001-born star has primarily played off the right wing but continues to pose a significant threat when in front of goal.
The Wales international – who has 28 caps for his country – gets the nod ahead of Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who has joined the top-flight newcomers in a £20million deal following a successful loan spell at Hull City last season.
Subs: Sam Tickle, Tino Livramento, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Alex Scott, Billy Gilmour, Jaden Philogene, Liam Delap
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1926897/paris-2024-olympics-team-gb-xi