England manager Gareth Southgate named his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 on Tuesday, with Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson notable absentees.
Rashford, 26, has earned 60 caps and scored 17 goals for England, including three at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, he has struggled for form this season, with only seven Premier League goals to his name.
Henderson, 33, has been capped 70 times by England and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. However, he has not played for his country since November 2021.
Several uncapped players have been included in the provisional squad, including Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
Southgate will cut his squad to 26 by the June 7 deadline. England are widely regarded as favorites for the tournament in Germany, having reached the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
“These are difficult calls,” Southgate said about Rashford’s absence. “With Marcus, I just feel other players in that area have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that.”
“This has been as complicated a group as I can remember picking.” Despite reaching the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, England have concerns about their defense. Quansah, Branthwaite, and Marc Guehi have been included in the provisional squad to provide Southgate with more options at the back.
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw is also in the provisional squad, despite being out for a lengthy period with injury. Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling has missed out, but his teammate Cole Palmer has been included after a superb season.
Southgate has remained loyal to Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, while his teammate Shaw remains a “long shot” because of a muscle injury that has sidelined him since February.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Jarell Quansah, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton
Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
