- Surprise calls in Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad
- Rashford and Henderson both miss out
- England boss reveals why duo have been omitted
WHAT HAPPENED?
Southgate has named his provisional 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 but it’s bad news for Rashford and Henderson who have both been omitted. The two players have been regulars under Southgate but won’t be on the plane to Germany, with the England manager coming up with some surprises with his selection. Southgate has called up five uncapped players, with Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, Adam Wharton and James Trafford all getting the nod. Luke Shaw is also included but is said to be a “long shot” as he battles to be fit after being sidelined since February.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Rashford has been left out after struggling for form for Manchester United in the 2023-24 season. The forward has scored just seven times and contributed two assists for Erik ten Hag’s side who finished the campaign down in eighth. Henderson left Liverpool for Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia last summer but struggled to settle in the Middle East, subsequently calling the transfer a “mistake,” and moved on to Ajax in January. The midfielder has gone on to make nine Eredivisie appearances for his new club but has missed time due to injury and will now sit out the tournament in Germany.
WHAT SOUTHGATE SAID ABOUT RASHFORD & HENDERSON
Southgate explained his decision to leave out Rashford at a press conference. He told reporters: “These are of course difficult calls. You are talking about players that are very important players. With Marcus, in that area of the pitch, I feel that other players have had better seasons, it’s as simple as that.”
The England boss went on to speak about Henderson’s omission: “Hendo has given himself every chance. From the last camp, he missed five weeks through injury and he hasn’t been able to get to that tempo since then. It’s a big call to make, the three players from last time, he, Ben (White) and Marcus (Rashford) all had excellent professionalism.”
WHAT SOUTHGATE SAID ABOUT LUKE SHAW
Southgate also offered an update on Shaw’s chances of making the squad. He told reporters: “[Luke Shaw’s] up against it. He’s missed a lot of football. The fact that he has been our first choice in that position, we’ve probably given him a lot longer than we would have done. I’ve talked with him and the medical team, we’ve been liaising with Manchester United, I’m not sure what’s realistic at this time. I have to say, he’s a long shot.”
