England manager Gareth Southgate has unveiled his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, featuring call-ups for Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Kobbie Mainoo.
Notably, Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson were omitted, while Luke Shaw made the list despite being a “long shot” for the tournament.
Southgate’s squad includes five uncapped players: Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
We're now on WhatsApp. Click here to join.
The group boasts strong attacking talent, with Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Ollie Watkins earning spots after impressive seasons with Chelsea, Newcastle, and Aston Villa, respectively. Brentford forward Ivan Toney also made the cut, despite only returning in January from an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules.
Jack Grealish was selected despite starting just 10 league games in Manchester City’s title-winning campaign.
Meanwhile, Mainoo’s rapid rise continues, having only made his full league debut for Manchester United against Everton in November. His teammate Luke Shaw, sidelined with a muscle injury since February, was also included.
Read Also: Watch Mohammed Kudus’ stunning bicycle kick goal against Man City
England’s 33-player provisional Euro 2024 Squad in full
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley)
- Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
- Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
- Forwards: Jude Bellingham, (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Southgate must trim the squad to 26 players by UEFA’s deadline of midnight on June 7. The expanded squad, announced at St. George’s Park on Thursday, reflects various fitness concerns that Southgate acknowledged are unprecedented in his eight years as England’s manager.
“We’ve never had so many unknown situations,” Southgate told a news conference.
“We’ve had tournaments where we’ve taken players where we know they will be back for a certain moment of the tournament. We’ve had tournament where we’ve had two English teams in the Champions League final and not had players for the games. They are different problems, but we are used to dealing with it.”
“There are a significant number, that will be apparent to you looking at the players who have missed the last few games of the season and the players who are only just back for the last few games of the season.”
“We’ve got an important physical challenge in that some players are going to need a bit more work, but we’ve got to make sure we push at the right times, get them the minutes they need in the games. Other players don’t need much at all and need refreshing.”
“Everybody has a chance [of making the final 26]. There are definitely some players that we wanted to see. The reason for the longer squad, we were in a similar situation before the last Euros, and more time is going to help us make better decisions and might help us give a better balance of squad.”
Gareth Southgate has explained that Marcus Rashford was omitted from England’s Euro 2024 provisional squad
The Manchester United forward, who has netted eight goals in 42 matches for his club this season, is one of the two major omissions from the 33-player squad, along with former vice-captain Jordan Henderson.
Rashford, who had been included in every major tournament squad under Southgate until now, will watch England compete for the Euro 2024 title from home.
Rashford missed a crucial penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley and was a substitute when England were knocked out of the 2022 Qatar World Cup by France in the quarterfinals.
This season, he has scored just seven goals in 33 league appearances as Manchester United finished in eighth place, their worst Premier League finish in years.
“These are of course difficult calls,” Southgate said in a press conference.
“You are talking about very good players who have been important in what we’ve done over a number of years.”
“With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch had better seasons. It’s as simple as that.”
Marcus Rashford responded to his exclusion from the England squad on social media, posting on his Instagram story: “Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament.”
Another significant omission from the squad is Jordan Henderson, who has had a tumultuous club season. The former Liverpool captain moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq last summer and, despite retaining his place in the national team, transferred to Ajax in January.
Southgate faced heavy criticism for continuing to select Henderson after his move to Al Ettifaq, given Saudi Arabia’s widely condemned human rights record.
Henderson’s move to Ajax was partly an attempt to maintain his position in Southgate’s squad, but he, along with Kalvin Phillips—who joined West Ham on loan from Manchester City in January with similar hopes—has been left out.
“Hendo has given himself every chance,” he said. “The determining factor has been the injury he picked up around the last camp. He missed five weeks and just hasn’t been able to get to the intensity in the games since then.
“He’s 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 I’ve spoken to — Ben [White], Marcus, Jordan, the three who were with us last time — they were incredibly professional. Considering the disappointment, they dealt with it very well.”
England manager Gareth Southgate has included left-back Luke Shaw in the provisional squad despite a muscle injury that has sidelined him since mid-February.
Southgate conveyed the concerning news that Shaw, England’s first-choice left-back, remains a serious doubt for participating in the tournament.
“I have to say he is up against it – he’s missed a lot of football,” Southgate said on Shaw’s fitness.
“The fact he’s been first choice in that position , we’re probably giving him longer than we might have done. I’m not sure what is realistic at this moment in time.
“I’ve talked with him, the medical team are liaising with Man Utd closely. But I would have to say he is a long shot.”
England will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Newcastle on June 3, followed by a match against Iceland at Wembley on June 7.
