Gareth Southgate officially announces 26-man squad for Euro 2024 with some big names left out
Seriously folks, football might actually be coming home this time.
'Mr Waistcoat' has just dropped his final 26-man squad for Euro 2024 and it's looking tasty.
Although we're not blessed with numbers at the back, attacking wise, we should be causing teams all sorts of problems.
The HurriKane, Jude Ballon d'Or and the Stockport Iniesta are surely going to tear it up in Germany.
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However, some big names that were in Gareth Southgate's preliminary squad did not make the cut.
England's final Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers:
- Dean Henderson
- Jordan Pickford
- Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders:
- Lewis Dunk
- Joe Gomez
- Marc Guehi
- Ezri Konsa
- Luke Shaw
- John Stones
- Kieran Trippier
- Kyle Walker
Midfielders:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Conor Gallagher
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Declan Rice
- Adam Wharton
Forwards:
- Jude Bellingham
- Jarrod Bowen
- Eberechi Eze
- Phil Foden
- Anthony Gordon
- Harry Kane
- Cole Plamer
- Bukayo Saka
- Ivan Toney
- Ollie Watkins
Jack Grealish misses out
The Manchester City midfielder hasn't featured as much as he would have liked for his club this season.
Grealish scored just three goals and had three assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.
"It's a big blow to Grealish and it is unexpected," said Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorset.
"Grealish himself decided to turn up early for training as part of the Manchester City squad that was part of the FA Cup final.
"He arrived at the earliest opportunity to try to prove his fitness and show how desperate he was to be part of this squad but Southgate feels he has better options elsewhere."
Maguire 'devastated not to have been selected'
Harry Maguire has barely put a foot wrong in England's last campaigns under Southgate and he'll be a big miss to the squad.
Taking to social media, the centre back said: "I'm devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer. Despite my best efforts, I've 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."
James Maddison not selected
Despite a strong start to his Spurs career and a sensational first-half of the season, the FA announced this week that both James Maddison and Curtis Jones 'have departed the England camp'.
“We thank them for being an important part of our pre-tournament preparation,” the FA added.
Maddison, who went to the 2022 World Cup, 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 Ballon d'Or
Even though Bellingham is likely to narrowly miss out on this year's Ballon d'Or to his Real Madrid teammate Vinícius Júnior, the 20-year-old has had a ridiculous first season.
He netted 19 goals in 27 games to help the Spanish giants win yet another La Liga title, as well as a 15th Champions League.
"He could be the X-factor when you look at what he has achieved," former England captain Alan Shearer told PA. His numbers at Real Madrid this season, his goals and assists, it is just not easy what he has done.
“When you think of going to the might of Real Madrid and playing in that stadium and the pressure you are under for someone so young, you have to use that as an advantage.
“There is no doubt playing for England in a Euros will not phase him in the slightest, you can tell how level-headed he is. He will play a huge part in what England do.”
England's Euro 2024 group stage fixtures
Sunday, 16 June - Group C: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen - kick-off 8pm BST)
Thursday, 20 June - Group C: Denmark vs England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt - kick-off 5pm BST)
Tuesday, 25 June - Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne - kick-off 8pm BST)
Topics: Gareth Southgate, Football
Anish Vij