England Reveals Provisional Euro 2024 Squad: Rashford and Henderson Miss Out

Manager Gareth Southgate unveiled England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad on Tuesday, with some notable exclusions, including forward Marcus Rashford (26) and experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson (33).

In a surprising twist, several uncapped players found themselves on the 33-man provisional list, including Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, and Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton. Another noteworthy inclusion was Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

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Southgate is tasked with trimming the squad to 26 players by the June 7th deadline, adding to the anticipation surrounding his final selection.

The absence of Rashford and Henderson raised eyebrows, given their past contributions and Southgate’s previous reliance on them during tournaments. Rashford, with 60 caps and 17 international goals, struggled to replicate his form this season, managing only seven Premier League goals for Manchester United.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling also missed the cut, although his teammate Cole Palmer secured a spot following an exceptional season. Despite a lengthy injury layoff, Manchester United’s Luke Shaw was included in the provisional squad.

Southgate acknowledged the difficulty in making these decisions, particularly regarding Rashford’s absence, stating, “This has been as complicated a group as I can remember picking.”

In response to his exclusion, Rashford conveyed his support to the team via an Instagram post minutes after the announcement, wishing them success in the upcoming tournament.

Henderson’s omission may prompt contemplation about his international future, especially after his recent move to Ajax Amsterdam following a stint with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq failed to earn him a call-up.

Reflecting on the squad selection process, Southgate noted, “Hendo picked up an injury around the last camp and hasn’t been able to get to the intensity in the games since then.”

While England boasts a formidable attacking lineup, concerns linger over their defensive capabilities, prompting Southgate to explore new options before finalizing the squad. The manager expressed a preference for clarity in defensive selections in the coming weeks.

England’s pre-tournament preparations include friendly matches against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iceland before they embark on their Euro 2024 journey, where they find themselves in a challenging group alongside Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia.

Provisional 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