Southgate announces final England squad cut by Grealish and Maguire
England coach Gareth Southgate has confirmed his final squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.
The tournament starts in about a week and teams are being finalized across the continent as each country looks to make history this summer.
The Three Lions head coach had initially included 33 players in his provisional squad with a view to getting a final look at some of his options for the two warm-up games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.
That number had to be cut to 26 and there were a few surprises from Southgate.
James Maddison and Curtis Jones were both told earlier today that they will not be heading to Germany, with reports suggesting that the former is expected to start in Friday night’s final friendly despite being left out.
They left the camp and did not practice with the rest of the team, leaving five more names to be dismissed.
Yours #Three Lions for #EURO2024! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/klzkNNTafI
– England (@England) June 6, 2024
Jack Grealish, James Trafford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarred Quansah and Harry Maguire are the men unlucky to miss out and the former and latter are perhaps the two most surprising names to be ruled out.
Maguire has already issued a statement explaining the damage he felt after the cut, but the Manchester United defender insisted it was due to injury and not a lack of quality.
It means the entire Crystal Palace quartet will be on board, with Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson all keeping their places.
Unsurprisingly, all the heavy hitters including Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka John Stones, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are included.
The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon, who will be delighted to see their fine seasons rewarded by the England manager.
Luke Shaw is also a cut despite being injured until around 2024.
BREAKING: The FA has confirmed that there will be 27 players training in England today, with Lewis Dunk, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw following their plans 🚨 pic.twitter.com/tCWhbSz4H0
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 6, 2024
The left-back was spotted at the training ground yesterday and Southgate appeared to be fit enough to fly to Germany.
The Three Lions will begin their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday, June 16 against Serbia before facing Denmark four days later and finishing their Group C campaign against Slovenia on June 25.
England team in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), John Stones (Manchester City), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Cryatal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester ) United).
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace).
Leaders: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Brentford ) ).