England Finalizes Squad for Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national football team, has revealed the final 26-player roster for the upcoming UEFA European Championship. This announcement comes after seven players, including notable names like Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Harry Maguire from Manchester United, were cut from the initial provisional list.
The players who didn’t make the final squad are Grealish, Maguire, James Maddison from Tottenham Hotspur, Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah from Liverpool, Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton, and James Trafford from Burnley. This selection marks a significant shift towards youth, with 12 of the chosen players having no prior experience in major international tournaments. Additionally, half of the squad from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been replaced.
Southgate acknowledged the substantial changes from the World Cup squad during a press briefing. He emphasized that selecting a team is always based on the present moment, leading to more extensive changes than initially anticipated. These new additions are expected to bring fresh enthusiasm and competition to the team, and Southgate highlighted the importance of team cohesion moving forward.
Harry Maguire was excluded due to a calf injury, whereas his Manchester United teammate, Luke Shaw, who has been sidelined since February, was included in the squad. Grealish and Maddison’s struggles at their respective clubs also contributed to their exclusion. Grealish managed only 10 starts in the Premier League this season, while Maddison netted just one goal since returning from injury in January.
Southgate underscored the importance of teamwork and unity, noting that even those not selected for the starting lineup play crucial roles. He stressed that the squad must work together and understand that the contributions of all players, including those not starting, are vital to the team’s success in the tournament.