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LONDON: England boss Southgate named his provisional Euro 2024 squad on Tuesday, with forward Marcus Rashford the most notable absence and experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson Not selected either.
Several players not capped by their country – Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarrell Quasa, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton – do Entered the provisional 33-man roster.
“Everyone has a chance,” Southgate told reporters.
Southgate will reduce his squad to 26 players before the June 7 deadline.
The exclusion of Rashford and former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson came as a huge surprise given Southgate has shown his devotion to them and the roles they play in previous games.
The 26-year-old Rashford has made 60 appearances and scored 17 goals, including 3 goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but has been in poor form this season and has only scored 7 Premier League goals for Manchester United.
“These are difficult decisions. For Marcus, I just feel there are other players in the area who have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that,” Southgate said.
“This is the most complex group I can remember picking.”
Minutes after the announcement on Tuesday, Rashford posted a message to the team on Instagram, saying “wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the upcoming games.”
Henderson may also be considering his international future after a brief spell with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq before deciding to join Ajax Amsterdam but not being rewarded with a call-up.
Southgate said: “Hendo was injured during the last training camp and missed five weeks and has never been able to compete at match intensity since.”
Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling also failed to make the cut, but teammate Cole Palmer did after an outstanding season.
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw was included in the provisional squad despite the left-back’s long-term absence through injury.
Heading into the Euro 2020 finals, England were widely regarded as favorites for the World Cup in Germany, and indeed they boasted one of the most talented players in recent years, including Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham , Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, among others. Everyone is enjoying a fantastic club season.
“Phil has played on both sides of the ball, but the key is where he ends up, not where he starts. At City he was able to go with the flow, like we did,” Southgate said of Foden.
“Jude has played as a number 10 all season, sometimes defending on the left. It all depends on where they end up.
“We’re not going to pin players down on the sidelines, that’s not how we work.”
Despite England’s potent attacking threat, there are concerns over their defence, which is perhaps why Southgate is prepared to look for new candidates before making a final decision.
Southgate remains loyal to Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, while team-mate Shaw remains a “long shot” as he has been sidelined since February with a muscle injury.
Southgate said: “(Shaw) objected to it but the fact that he was our first choice (at left-back) meant that it took us a little longer than we should have.”
The additions of Quasa, Branthwaite and Mark Ghosh provide Southgate with defensive options.
“If we choose tomorrow, we might end up playing 12 defenders because we have a lot of questions,” the head coach added. “But we would rather not do that. Things will become clearer in a few weeks.”
Walton, 20, is having an impressive season at Crystal Palace, while Jack Grealish is still in line to play in Germany despite admitting his performances at Championship Manchester City have been below his best this term. ball.
England will play two friendlies – against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on June 3 and Iceland at Wembley on June 7 – before heading to the European Championships, where they will be grouped with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Mark Gay, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Jarrell Konsa, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielder: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Connor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Kobe Manu, Declan Rice, Adam Walton
Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberidge Eze, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, James McGrady Johnson, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
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