England squad CONFIRMED as Gareth Southgate leaves Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish and five more out of Euro 2024 squad
GARETH SOUTHGATE has confirmed his 26-man squad for Euro 2024 – with no places for the likes of Harry Maguire or Jack Grealish.
The ruthless England boss, 53, was tasked with cutting seven members of his provisional 33-man squad.
ReutersHarry Maguire has lost his fitness race for Euro 2024[/caption]
GettyJack Grealish and James Maddison have both also been cut[/caption]
Last night it emerged that James Maddison had left the camp after learning that he had been omitted by Southgate.
It then emerged that Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah had also missed out.
As expected James Trafford was then cut, with Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson selected as Southgate’s goalkeepers.
The bombshell then dropped that experienced duo Maguire and Grealish had failed to make the squad.
Manchester United star Maguire, 31, had already been a doubt – having not played since April due to a calf issue.
Having hoped to be ready in time, the 63-cap defender lost his fitness race.
Grealish, meanwhile, was a more surprise omission.
The Manchester City star, 28, was limited to just 10 Premier League starts last term after falling out of favour with boss Pep Guardiola.
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But the 36-cap ace had still been expected to make it, having even grabbed an assist during his 27-minute cameo against Bosnia on Monday.
The seventh player to be cut by Southgate was defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
How England will line up after big names axed from Euros
ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate dropped a huge shock with Harry Maguire missing out on the Euro 2024 squad.
Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and Spurs playmaker James Maddison have also been axed from the Three Lions’ final 26-man group.
That leaves a hole to fill alongside John Stones at centre-back, with Maguire a stalwart during Southgate’s reign.
The Manchester United defender was expected to start but a calf issue that kept him out since April led to his surprise omission.
So how will the pre-tournament favourites cope without their defensive rock?
SunSport picks out three potential starting line-ups for the big opener against Serbia…
Despite making his Three Lions debut against Bosnia, the Carlisle-born ace missed out – with centre-backs John Stones, Marc Guehi, Joe Gomez, Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa preferred.
Tottenham star Maddison, 27, was the first omitted star to publicly speak out.
He wrote on social media: “Devastated doesn’t quite cut it.
“Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make.
“I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26 man squad as I feel I bring something different & had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that.
“I’ll be back, I have no doubt. Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home.”
Jude Bellingham responded to Maddison’s post with a sad emoji.
While Declan Rice added: “We’re going to miss you brother.”
GettyCurtis Jones has been cut by Gareth Southgate[/caption]
PAJarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite have both missed out[/caption]
PAJames Trafford will not go to Euro 2024[/caption]
This is a bold changing of the guard from Southgate… he’s never been afraid to be ruthless
GARETH SOUTHGATE has made a habit of taking ruthless calls during his eight years as England boss, writes Dave Kidd.
And his decision to axe Jack Grealish, as well as James Maddison, is further evidence of the Three Lions chief being unafraid to take big decisions with big-name players.
Harry Maguire is also set to be among the seven players left out for the squad to travel to Germany for the Euros although the decision to omit the Manchester United centre-back is based on his failure to recover from injury.
Southgate is, more than ever, picking on form.
Attacking midfielders such as Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon have been rewarded with call-ups for their excellent Premier League form, while Marcus Rashford, Maddison and Grealish all get the chop.
While the England boss is often regarded as an over-cautious nice guy, he took big decisions in getting rid of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Chris Smalling at the start of his reign.
Southgate also jettisoned Raheem Sterling last year after the Chelsea man had been a regular starter throughout most of his reign.
And Jordan Henderson was left out of the 33-man preliminary squad having been a stalwart for Southgate throughout his previous three tournaments.
Grealish has been a cause celebre for England fans – who have often accused Southgate of holding an agenda against him.
But he has struggled for game-time with Manchester City all season, just as Maddison has been off-form since returning from injury at Spurs.
This is a bold changing of the guard from Southgate, who has relied heavily on Maguire, Henderson, Sterling and Rashford throughout his time in charge, while Grealish and Maddison are both popular flair players who fully expected to make the 26-man party for Germany.
Burnley keeper James Trafford, the Liverpool duo of Curtis Jones and Jarrell Quansah and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite are expected to make up Southgate’s seven-man cull along with Grealish, Maddison and Maguire.
Maguire subsequently admitted that he was “absolutely gutted” to have missed out.
He wrote on social media: “I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer.
“Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted.
“For me, representing England is the highest honour. It means everything to me. If I can’t help the team as a player, I will support them as a fan – along with the rest of the country. Go and win it boys.
“Next, I will return to the supervision of the Manchester United medical team in order to prepare for next season.”
