England's Euro 2024 squad according to stats experts - with huge calls on Everton, Newcastle & Luton stars

Thursday marked 100 days until the start of Euro 2024 as England's men look to end 58 years of hurt by landing their first major tournament win since Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley in 1966.

The Three Lions will travel to Germany this summer looking to go one step further than their heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss against Italy in the Euro 2020 Final and write their names into English football folklore. But who will Gareth Southgate name in his squad and which players will carry the nation's hopes throughout the tournament?

Of course, every fan, pundit and expert will have their say - but what about the statisticians? We took to the ever-reliable WhoScored website to select a 23-man England squad based on their average ratings throughout the season so far.

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (Everton)

It's probably not a surprise to see Pickford in this squad, even if Everton have endured a challenging season in the Premier League. A firm favourite of Southgate's, a trusted outlet for the Three Lions boss and someone that is certain to be on the plane to Germany in June. Pickford's rating is actually the third highest amongst English keepers but he still makes it in this stats-based squad WhoScored rating: 6.63

Goalkeeper: James Trafford (Burnley)

Perhaps a surprise here given Burnley's abysmal form and the number of goals Trafford has conceded since he moved to Turf Moor last summer - a deal which really raised our collective eyebrows. The former Manchester City goalkeeper has been punished for a number of errors this season but perhaps his place in this squad is a sign that things could have been even worse for Vincent Kompany's side had he not produced the level of performances he has over the last six months WhoScored rating: 6.68

Goalkeeper: Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

Firstly, it's important to point out WhoScored does not take injuries into consideration and Magpies goalkeeper Pope has not featured for Eddie Howe's side since he suffered a serious shoulder injury in a 1-0 home win against Manchester United in December. However, Pope had impressed during the opening months of the season and was actually the highest rated English goalkeeper according to WhoScored's averages WhoScored rating: 6.72

Defender: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

Another firm favourite of Southgate's and another regular in his squad's throughout his time in charge of the Three Lions. Trippier endured something of a dip in form during what was a difficult December but has been at his consistent best for large parts of the season. The ex-Spurs star is out with an injury and is unlikely to be in the England squad for this month's friendlies with Belgium and Brazil - but he remains England's highest ranked WhoScored defender alongside the next man on this list WhoScored rating: 7.18

Defender: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

A full-back, wing-back or midfielder? No matter what Alexander-Arnold is these days, he certainly has earned a place in Southgate's squad and this stats-led squad. The Reds academy product has played an integral role in Jurgen Klopp's attempts to end his time in charge of Liverpool with a second Premier League title. Alexander-Arnold is sat as one of the highest-rated English players according to the stats experts WhoScored rating: 7.18

Defender: Ben White (Arsenal)

Once viewed as a future England regular, the Gunners defender has slipped from favour with Southgate in recent months - but he is stating a strong case for a recall ahead of Euro 2024 by playing a role in Arsenal's push for success in a number of competitions this season. White has featured heavily at right-back but can also play at centre-back and he makes it into this squad as the fourth highest rated English full-back WhoScored rating: 6.81

Defender: Dan Burn (Newcastle United)

Now this one is something of a surprise, given Burn has divided opinion amongst Newcastle supporters after making a number of errors during the season. The former Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham defender has been a regular under Eddie Howe and has remained a consistent presence on the left-hand side of the Magpies defence. Despite what some see as an underwhelming season, Burn sneaks into the stats-based squad WhoScored rating: 6.94

Defender: James Tarkowski (Everton)

Tarkowski earned two senior England caps during his time at Burnley but does not seem to have been close to a recall. However, WhoScored actually have the Everton defender down as the highest-rated England centre-back ahead of the likes of John Stones, Levi Colwill, Harry Maguire and Fikayo Tomori. Indeed, only Trippier and Alexander-Arnold have a higher average rating amongst Southgate's defensive options WhoScored rating: 7.10

Defender: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)

Roundly tipped to break into the senior setup in recent months after impressive for Everton and England Under-21s, Branthwaite has established himself at the heart of the Toffees defence and seems increasingly likely to force his way into Southgate's squad at some point in the near future. As it stands, the former Carlisle United defender is rated second behind club team-mate Tarkowski in the centre-back average ratings WhoScored rating: 6.9

Defender: Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

A certainty to be in the England squad for the finals, Maguire may well take some stick but he remains a firm Southgate favourite and, although it may not be popular to suggest, he has rarely let England down when called into the action. Maguire is the only Manchester United representative in this stats-based squad and is actually English's third highest-rated centre-back WhoScored rating: 6.85

Defender: Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)

The former Chelsea man has enjoyed a successful spell in Serie A but seems to struggle to convince Southgate he is worthy of a regular space in his squad. Tomori has become a Serie A winner at the San Siro and has featured regularly in the Champions League and Europa League - and he should be featuring at Euro 2024 according to the stats experts WhoScored rating: 6.83

Defender: Levi Colwill (Chelsea)

His form at club level has been inconsistent but that is probably symptomatic of Chelsea's own form. Colwill is seen as someone that can form part of England squads for years to come and he certainly has time on his side. Despite his side's struggles, the former Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United defender makes his way into this squad with ease WhoScored rating: 6.82

Midfielder: James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Maddison's introduction to life at Spurs may well have been hampered by injury but he is now back to full fitness and will no doubt play a key role in his side's push for a return to the Champions League. The former Leicester City man will also be confident of earning a place on the plane to Germany and he would be justified in having such a stance given his exceptional rating WhoScored rating: 7.46

Midfielder: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

The Birmingham City academy product has become England's most important player in a relatively short space of time. Although there may well be arguments to state the case of Kane or Rice, Bellingham can make England tick against the best sides in the world. It should not be a surprise to see him as England's highest-rated player given the heroics he has performed since his high profile move to La Liga giants Real Madrid WhoScored rating: 7.8

Midfielder: Declan Rice (Arsenal)

What a first season Rice is enjoying with Arsenal! The former West Ham United midfielder is playing a major role in the Gunners push for a first Premier League title in two decades and enjoyed an equally important role within the England setup. He will be on the plane and he will hope to make a big impact as Southgate aims to lead the Three Lions to a first major tournament success since 1966 WhoScored rating: 7.38

Midfielder: Ross Barkley (Luton Town)

After several years struggling to find form, Barkley has been very impressive since he joined Luton on a free transfer last summer and will hope he can help the Hatters extend their Premier League stay beyond a solitary season. Could he force his way back into the England squad for the first time since 2019? WhoScored think so! WhoScored rating: 7.21

Forward: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Arsenal's 'star boy' and one of England's leading attacking players, Saka has been in stunning form for the Gunners this season with 16 goals and 15 assists in 35 appearances in all competitions. His importance to Gareth Southgate can not be underplayed and it seems increasingly likely Saka will start on the right-hand side of a front three this summer. WhoScored would suggest so too! WhoScored rating: 7.72

Forward: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

Yet to receive a senior call-up, Gordon has tournament success with the Three Lions under his belt after leading the Under-21s to a European Championship win last summer. The momentum from that tournament has carried into his club form and the former Everton man has ten goals and seven assists in 38 appearances for Newcastle WhoScored rating: 7.14

Forward: Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Currently enjoying the best season of what has already been an astonishing career, Foden is surely in line to play a lead role for England this summer. His form for Manchester City has been remarkable in recent months and there is no doubt Foden can be one of the stars of the summer and firmly establish himself as one of European football's most exciting talents WhoScored rating: 7.45

Forward: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

There may well be some surprise to see Eze edge out the likes of Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Marcus Rashford - but the Crystal Palace star is more than worthy of a place in this stats-based squad with an impressive average rating. In reality, Eze will probably require a remarkable run of form between now and the end of the campaign to break into the squad WhoScored rating: 7.25

Striker: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Watkins' form in front of goal has been one of the main reasons why Villa are challenging for a place in next season's Champions League. The former Brentford man is now seen as England's main backup to Harry Kane after scoring 21 goals and ten assists in 38 appearances and he seems certain to see of the challenge of several strikers to earn a place on the plane to Germany WhoScored rating: 7.41

Striker: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

There really could not be an England squad without Harry Kane and the former Tottenham Hotspur striker will hope to head into the tournament by finishing off what has been a remarkable first season in Germany in fine style. As it stands, the England skipper has 33 goals in 33 games for Bayern and has added nine assists to firmly establish his stance as one of world football's most feared strikers WhoScored rating: 7.69

Striker: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

The Bournemouth forward has enjoyed a fine season in front of goal and has been spoken of as a possible candidate for the England squad as Southgate looks for alternative options to Harry Kane. With an average of a goal in under every two games for the Cherries, Solanke's average rating means he makes it into this WhoScored England squad WhoScored rating: 7.04

The 3AM Verdict: There are some surprise names omitted from this stats-led England squad as the likes of Kyle Walker, Ben Chilwell, John Stones and Marcus Rashford. It would be something of a shock if any of that quartet missed out when Gareth Southgate names his final squad - and perhaps this 'unique' selection just shows that stats can only tell half of the story when it comes to football.