MARCUS RASHFORD, JORDAN HENDERSON AMONG STARS LEFT OUT OF ENGLAND’S PROVISIONAL 33-MAN SQUAD FOR EURO 2024
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson have been left off of England’s provisional squad for EURO 2024.
Both English internationals have been omitted from the provisional 33-man squad on the back of disappointing seasons with their current clubs and will not be joining the team for the upcoming Euros in Germany next month.
Amongst the players chosen for the tournament include: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford; Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Jarrell Quansah, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton; Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins.
Asked about his decision to omit Rashford, Southgate told the media on Tuesday he believed other players at the same position have had better seasons. “These are, of course, difficult calls,” said Southgate. “You’re talking about players that are very good players and who’ve been an important part of what we’ve done over a number of years. So, with Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that.”
Rashford responded swiftly to his omission from the England squad by writing a message of support to the team on his Instagram story. “I’m wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament.”
Manchester United left back Luke Shaw, who has been dealing with a muscle injury since February and reportedly suffered a setback in his rehabilitation last week, has been called up. Southgate told the media that Shaw’s call up was more of a formality as the fullback has what he described as a “long shot” to make the final 23-man squad.
“He is up against it. He missed a lot of football. The fact he’s been our first choice in that position, we’re probably giving him a bit longer. I’ve spoke with him but I have to say he’s a long shot to make the final squad”.
In addition to Rashford’s omission, Southgate also left out long-time standout midfielder Jordan Henderson for the tournament next month. A move that came as a surprise to many fans considering the leadership quality the soon-to-be 34–year-old brings to the table.
Henderson, who moved to Dutch giants, Ajax, in January after an unsuccessful six–month stint with Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, is set to miss his first international tournament since his call up for England in 2010. Henderson has represented England in three UEFA Euro tournaments and 3 FIFA World Cups.
“Hendo has given himself every chance [to get into the squad],” said Southgate. “The determining factor is the injury he picked up around the last camp. He’s missed five weeks and just hasn’t been able to get to the intensity in the game since then.”
“Look, he [Henderson] is a fantastic professional. That was a really difficult call to make because he’s been so important, so supportive in my time here. And I have to say, all the boys, when I have spoken for them, Ben [White], Marcus [Rashford], Jordan [Henderson], who were the three that were with us last time, they were incredibly professional and considering the disappointment, they dealt with it very well.”
England has until June 8th to cut down the 33-man squad to 26 just in time for the tournament and will have a little over two weeks to assess the current group of players.
With the provisional squad now set, some English fans have been calling for Southgate to call up Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise, who is eligible to play for both England and France at EURO 2024. Olise did not get a call up to France’s provisional squad on Monday despite having had a career year with Palace in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old notched an impressive 10 goals and provided 6 assists in 19 games for the Eagles and could be an impact player on the English squad were he to be called up.
Born in London to Nigerian and Algerian parents, Olise is also eligible to represent African nations Nigeria (father) and Algeria (mother).
“I would have been phoning him up,” said Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson about calling up Olise. “For me, I would have rang him and go, ‘you can’t get into this French squad.’ You know, come and play for us [England]. He’s lived over here. I think he was born in England, wasn’t he? The lad’s a talent, he’s that flair player. Like I said, you need that ‘X-factor.’ X-factors win you tournaments.”
“That’s what we were talking about Mbappe, he has the X-factor. He does something on these big stage[s]. They do stuff, that’s what you need. You need them players, you need them flair players like Foden, Bellingham, Saka. They will do something out of the ordinary and that’s what wins tournaments.”
Other big-name players that weren’t selected include: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Eric Dier (Bayern Munich), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) and Levi Colwill (Chelsea).
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Oleg Bkhambri. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.