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England boss Gareth Southgate today named his provisional squad for Euro 2024 which takes place in Germany this summer.
The make-up of the group has been the source of much speculation for several weeks with the Three Lions looking to go one better than in 2021 when they lost out to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
Southgate is regarded as a conservative coach, regularly selecting players that aren’t in form but have produced for England previously.
But his squad announcement today was anything but conservative as he ditched several of the old guard in favour of a new wave of talent in the Premier League with five uncapped players called-up.
The party will be trimmed to 26 after the final warm-up game against Iceland on June 7.
📰 Table Of Contents
So who did Southgate call-up?
It should be stressed that this is a provisional squad so it may well be the final group has a more familiar look but there will still be space for some exciting inclusions.
Crystal Palace fans will reflect on the announcement with pride as they have four players selected – Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton.
Wharton only joined the Eagles from Blackburn Rovers in January but has made a huge impression under Oliver Glasner. Eze has been one of the stand-out players in the Premier League in recent weeks and merits his inclusion.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford got the nod over the returning Nick Pope while two uncapped defenders who ply their trade on Merseyside – Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah – have been included.
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones gets a maiden call-up to join a youthful midfield group that sees Manchester United’s 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo continue his remarkable rise to prominence.
Cole Palmer is rewarded for his excellent season with Chelsea and joins a formidable attacking midfield group that includes Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Eze.
Who were the notable omissions?
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford were overlooked. Henderson is less of a surprise despite being a squad member for every major tournament since 2012.
The 33-year-old left Anfield for Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq last summer before switching to Ajax in the January window. He has failed to shine in the Eredivisie, though, and has also been hampered by injury.
Rashford has also been a Southgate favourite for many years. However, his form for United has been patchy this season – he managed just seven goals in 33 Premier League games – while he has also come in for criticism due to some well-publicised off-field misdemeanours.
Raheem Sterling’s international exile continued with the Chelsea winger failing to add to his 82 caps since the 2022 World Cup.
Left-back Ben Chilwell misses out after another injury-plagued season that restricted his opportunities to catch Southgate’s eye. Eric Dier’s impressive form since joining Bayern Munich was not enough for him to earn a seat on the plane.
Who do England play at Euro 2024?
England’s Group C fixtures
Sunday, June 16 – Serbia vs England (Gelsenkirchen, 8pm)
Thursday, June 20 – Denmark vs England (Frankfurt, 5pm)
Tuesday, June 25 – England vs Slovenia (Cologne, 8pm)
The top two in each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, go through to the round of 16.
Confirming the #ThreeLions‘ pre-#EURO2024 training squad! 🏴
— England (@England) May 21, 2024
What is the full squad?
Goalkeepers: Pickford (Everton), Ramsdale (Arsenal), Henderson (Crystal Palace), Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Walker (Man City), Trippier (Newcastle), Dunk (Brighton), Guehi (Crystal Palace), Gomez (Liverpool), Konsa (Aston Villa), Maguire (Man Utd), Stones (Man City), Shaw (Man Utd), Quansah (Liverpool), Branthwaite (Everton)
Midfielders: Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Rice (Arsenal), Mainoo (Man Utd), Wharton (Crystal Palace), Jones (Liverpool), Gallagher (Chelsea)
Forwards: Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eze (Crystal Palace), Bowen (West Ham), Foden (Man City), Grealish (Man City), Saka (Arsenal), Gordon (Newcastle), Maddison (Tottenham), Palmer (Chelsea), Kane (Bayern Munich), Watkins (Aston Villa), Toney (Brentford)
