Jack Grealish and James Maddison have been cut from England’s Euro 2024 squad with Gareth Southgate opting for emerging talent over established names.
Harry Maguire could not recover from injury in time to play in Germany, leaving the Three Lions vulnerable at the back.
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones was also cut, while his club teammate Jarell Quansah also failed to make the final squad. The pair were surprise inclusions in the 33 and were not given minutes against Bosnia to fight for their place. Brenford striker Ivan Toney survived the final cut, but Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford drops out.
Follow all the latest news and reaction from the England camp ahead of Euro 2024 below:
England’s Euro 2024 squad officially announced
Here it is. These are the 26-players who will travel to Germany for Euro 2024:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Adam Wharton, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney.
Mike Jones6 June 2024 17:30
Gareth Southgate press conference
Gareth Southgate on being the favourites for Euro 2024: “Lots of teams could win. It’ a very open tournament. We’re excited about our prospects, we’re experienced, but we know we have to deliver in this moment.”
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:26
Gareth Southgate press conference
Gareth Southgate also addressed whether England can replace Harry Maguire’s leadership saying: “Leadership is a really important part of any successful team, and we have plenty of players on over 50 caps.
“Pickford, Walker, Stones, Rice, Kane, and Trippier is very close to that figure. We will also see characters emerge through the coming months.”
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:22
Gareth Southgate press conference
Southgate on Luke Shaw’s fitness: “Shaw has progressed really well in the past couple of weeks and we think he will be able to be involved in the second group game.
“I think you can take one gamble, and that’s one gamble which we have enough evidence on that we can take.”
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:18
Gareth Southgate press conference
The England boss also explained why Harry Maguire was omitted: “Part of the reason we couldn’t take Maguire is that he would have been the 10th defender, and that would have meant an unbalance elsewhere.
“We definitely wouldn’t have had him in the group stages … we need cover and need players fit from the start.
“You know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and what he’s done for me as a manager.”
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:14
Gareth Southgate press conference
The England boss on Jarrad Branthwaite: “I think it is a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. In an ideal world you’d like that balance of left-footers but for him to be ahead of the others I don’t think would have been the right call at this stage.”
Southgate also revealed that Jarell Quansah will be part of the squad to face Iceland tomorrow despite not going to the Euros.
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:13
Gareth Southgate press conference
Gareth Southgate addresses why James Maddison and Jack Grealish were dropped: “We’ve got some players who have been playing extremely well all season in the league and we feel other players have had stronger seasons, particularly in the last six months or so.
“Attacking areas, in particular, we’re blessed with a lot of options, and some different.
“Madders and Jack offer something different … we back our decisions but acknowledge we could have gone in another direction.”
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:09
Watch live: Gareth Southgate speaks after England’s Euro 2024 squad confirmed
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:08
Gareth Southgate press conference
Here’s Gareth Southgate sepeaking: “No question, this is one of the most difficult parts of the job. We’re a close team and players, staff have known this decision was coming.
“I tried to do it respectfully and from a most human a side as possible but for the players who aren’t coming with us it is devastating. We’ve got that balance of excitement and remorse on a very difficult day.”
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:03
Gareth Southgate press conference
The England boss is just about to speak to the media about his decisions for the England squad. Declan Rice will join him to preview tomorrow night’s match against Iceland.
Mike Jones6 June 2024 18:01