On the eve of Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate has created a new dawn England National team. Even from the training squad that will compete for 26 spots at the tournament, some of the Three Lions' key figures have returned to competing at major tournaments over the past six years. There is no place for vice captain Jordan Henderson nor Marcus RashfordAnd Raheem Sterling's the exile from the international stage continues.
More familiar faces from past ineligible squads include the Chelsea duo with full back Ree James And Ben Chillwellplagued by injuries this season, while by Eric Dier excellent form on loan from Bayern Munich has not been enough to earn him a call from Southgate, after what he described as the most “complicated” selection he has made as he prepares for his fourth major tournament as England manager. Rather than trusting veterans, Southgate has appointed a 33-strong training group, littered with emerging talent, including the unlimited quartet of Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones, Jarrad Branthwaite And Adam Wharton.
The latter, who played with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship in early 2024, is one of the four Crystal Palace representatives who will compete for places in the final team they can travel to Germanywhich Southgate must appoint at midnight on June 7. Eberechi Ezecalled up for Euro 2020, but missed due to injury, has been called up along with his teammates Dean Henderson And Marc Guehi.
Branthwaite has been rewarded for an impressive season as a starter for Sean Dyche's Everton side, while there are two particularly notable representatives from across Stanley Park. Quansah took full advantage of an injury crisis in central defense to play a prominent role Liverpool's season, while Jones has returned to form and fitness after missing the most recent international break with an ankle problem.
“Everyone has a chance,” said Southgate. “There are certainly some players we wanted to see. The reason for the longer squad – we were in a similar situation before the last European Championship – [is that] More time will help us make better decisions and have a better balanced squad. There are some injury issues that are very obvious and obvious, others are more nuanced.
“We can make better decisions by giving ourselves more time. There are times when time doesn't necessarily help you make better decisions, but this time it does.”
A “significant number” of Southgate's players will have work to do in the coming days to prove their fitness. Luke Shaw, the preferred option at left-back when fit, has not featured since February due to a muscle problem. He and Harry Maguire are doubts for Saturday's FA Cup final. Southgate noted that Shaw might not have been considered for the squad if he was not the first choice in his position and was “against it” in his race to prove his suitability.
“I'm not sure what's realistic,” he added. “I'd have to say he's a gamble.”
Anthony Gordon appears to have overcome the injury that kept him out of Newcastle's final game of the season against Brentford. Harry Kane is struggling with a back injury, but Bukayo Sakas absence of Arsenal's The final game of the season should not affect his role at the 2024 European Championship, Mikel Arteta confirmed on Sunday.
“We've never had so many unknown situations,” Southgate said. “We've had tournaments where we've taken players that we knew would be back for a while. We're used to dealing with that.
“I always want to give players as much clarity as possible. But on this occasion that is not possible.”
Southgate's training squad will take part on Wednesday, May 29, although those involved in the FA Cup final will be in between Manchester city And Manchester United will come at a later date. Judas Bellingham He is not expected to play in the first pre-tournament practice match; he will at least play in the Champions League final Real Madrid in return for Borussia Dortmund on June 1.
England play Bosnia before facing Bosnia two days later Iceland on June 7. The Three Lions, one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, start the tournament against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16.
England training squad complete
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Johannes Stones (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Joe Gomes (Liverpool), Jarrell Quansah (Liverpool), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Attackers: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toon (Brentford), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), James Maddison (Tottenham)
