Southgate drops big stars in England’s provisional squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has omitted a huge number of big names from his provisional squad for Euro 2024 despite naming a provisional list of 33 players. Although the list will still be trimmed to 26 players in June, big-name players like Marcus Rashford, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Nick Pope, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, and Levi Colwill have all been left out.

Southgate stated the calls were difficult to make, but the squad needs to evolve and involve players who impressed during the season.

“These are difficult calls – you are talking about players who are very good players who have been an important part of what we have done. With Marcus [Rashford], I feel players in the same area of the pitch have had better seasons; it’s as simple as that.” Southgate said.

England will play in Group C alongside Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in the Euros championships. There was a call-up for Eberechi Eze and Kobee Mainoo, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.

The deadline for the trimming of the squad is June 7, just days before the start of the competition. England will open their campaign against Serbia on June 16.

England provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), 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).