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England Squad Gatecrashers, Part 5: Tino Livramento

England Squad Gatecrashers, Part 5: Tino Livramento

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Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice heading into Euro 2024 this summer. 

By Sam McGuire

Never before has an England manager had such a talented pool of players at their disposal. To say the squad depth is unbelievable would be an understatement. But while Southgate is the envy of a lot of managers across Europe, he’s also in a bit of an unenviable position. Because no matter what decision he makes, unless the Three Lions go on to win the tournament, he’s going to have made the wrong one. 

When there is that much talent available to you, you are expected to win. This is pressure few other managers will have ever experienced. Southgate will have a select few players who are dead certs for the squad but those who have been in fine form during the final few months of the 2023/24 campaign could well gatecrash the 26-man squad. 

In this series, we’re going to look at five players who might have played their way into the thinking of the England boss. We’ve already made the case for Harvey Elliott and looked at the merits of including Crystal Palace duo Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze in the squad. We’ve also taken a look at Anthony Gordon. The final focus is going to be on his Newcastle United teammate, Tino Livramento. 

The fact he’s even in this conversation is a remarkable achievement in itself. The versatile defender missed almost 400 days with an ACL injury while at Southampton. The 21-year-old only returned for the final two games of the 2022/23 campaign having suffered the injury in April 2022. 

Despite this, Newcastle United took the risk and signed him for a fee believed to be worth £40million with add-ons. Just as was the case with Gordon, it is now looking like a clever piece of business. 

Livramento has been one of the surprises of the season for the Magpies. And he’s caught the eye in multiple roles, having filled in for Kieran Trippier at right-back as well as turning out at left-back. 

There has even been calls for the former Chelsea youngster to replace starting left-back Dan Burn on the left side of the defence, despite it not being his natural position. 

You can understand why too. The England under-21 international played as a left-back against Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan in the Champions League. He also started games there against Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, Spurs and Arsenal in the Premier League. 

And he didn’t look out of place.  

This versatility could be key to him sneaking into Southgate’s squad. As detailed in the Mitchell piece, England aren’t blessed with in-form or fit left-backs at the moment. Luke Shaw is out. Ben Chilwell has missed a lot of the season. The Crystal Palace man is probably the form player but there’s an argument to be made that he’s a wing-back rather than a full-back. Joe Gomez could get the nod there but he’s a centre-back by trade and you lose some drive in the wide areas if he’s deployed there. 

While Livramento isn’t a natural left-back, he does have natural full-back tendencies and that could give him a slight advantage. He might even pip club teammate Trippier to a place in the squad with the former Atlético full-back struggling with injuries and form this season. 

The Newcastle man is safe in possession, something Southgate values, having completed almost 87% of his passes in the Premier League this season. He’s also quite progressive in possession and he’s completed almost 70% of his dribbles. Livramento has also won almost two fouls per 90, highlighting how he’s a bit of a stress reliever when on the ball. He’s also winning 62% of his duels and the Newcastle No. 21 recovers the ball on almost six occasions on a per 90 basis. 

He’s not as exciting as some full-backs but the England manager favours consistent, reliable defenders in the back four. Livramento’s versatility and composure could see him gatecrash the final 26-man squad. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring xG, deep stats coverage, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

England Squad Gatecrashers, Part 5: Tino Livramento

Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice heading into Euro 2024 this summer. 

By Sam McGuire

Never before has an England manager had such a talented pool of players at their disposal. To say the squad depth is unbelievable would be an understatement. But while Southgate is the envy of a lot of managers across Europe, he’s also in a bit of an unenviable position. Because no matter what decision he makes, unless the Three Lions go on to win the tournament, he’s going to have made the wrong one. 

When there is that much talent available to you, you are expected to win. This is pressure few other managers will have ever experienced. Southgate will have a select few players who are dead certs for the squad but those who have been in fine form during the final few months of the 2023/24 campaign could well gatecrash the 26-man squad. 

In this series, we’re going to look at five players who might have played their way into the thinking of the England boss. We’ve already made the case for Harvey Elliott and looked at the merits of including Crystal Palace duo Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze in the squad. We’ve also taken a look at Anthony Gordon. The final focus is going to be on his Newcastle United teammate, Tino Livramento. 

The fact he’s even in this conversation is a remarkable achievement in itself. The versatile defender missed almost 400 days with an ACL injury while at Southampton. The 21-year-old only returned for the final two games of the 2022/23 campaign having suffered the injury in April 2022. 

Despite this, Newcastle United took the risk and signed him for a fee believed to be worth £40million with add-ons. Just as was the case with Gordon, it is now looking like a clever piece of business. 

Livramento has been one of the surprises of the season for the Magpies. And he’s caught the eye in multiple roles, having filled in for Kieran Trippier at right-back as well as turning out at left-back. 

There has even been calls for the former Chelsea youngster to replace starting left-back Dan Burn on the left side of the defence, despite it not being his natural position. 

You can understand why too. The England under-21 international played as a left-back against Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan in the Champions League. He also started games there against Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, Spurs and Arsenal in the Premier League. 

And he didn’t look out of place.  

This versatility could be key to him sneaking into Southgate’s squad. As detailed in the Mitchell piece, England aren’t blessed with in-form or fit left-backs at the moment. Luke Shaw is out. Ben Chilwell has missed a lot of the season. The Crystal Palace man is probably the form player but there’s an argument to be made that he’s a wing-back rather than a full-back. Joe Gomez could get the nod there but he’s a centre-back by trade and you lose some drive in the wide areas if he’s deployed there. 

While Livramento isn’t a natural left-back, he does have natural full-back tendencies and that could give him a slight advantage. He might even pip club teammate Trippier to a place in the squad with the former Atlético full-back struggling with injuries and form this season. 

The Newcastle man is safe in possession, something Southgate values, having completed almost 87% of his passes in the Premier League this season. He’s also quite progressive in possession and he’s completed almost 70% of his dribbles. Livramento has also won almost two fouls per 90, highlighting how he’s a bit of a stress reliever when on the ball. He’s also winning 62% of his duels and the Newcastle No. 21 recovers the ball on almost six occasions on a per 90 basis. 

He’s not as exciting as some full-backs but the England manager favours consistent, reliable defenders in the back four. Livramento’s versatility and composure could see him gatecrash the final 26-man squad. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring xG, deep stats coverage, and player ratings. Download the free app here.