Grealish left out of England squad for Euro 2024
In a surprising turn of events, Jack Grealish was left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad, with Gareth Southgate making the decision to axe the Manchester City winger following a disappointing end to the season.
Grealish, who experienced a significant dip in form during the second half of the Premier League campaign, was the most high-profile star to be dropped from Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad.
Joining him in Euro heartache were other notable players such as Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Tottenham playmaker James Maddison.
Despite featuring as an unused substitute in City’s FA Cup final defeat against Manchester United in May, the 28-year-old was omitted from the Premier League champion’s title-winning game against West Ham.
READ ALSO: Euro 2024 set to kick off in Germany with France, England as top contenders
Even his appearance as a substitute in England’s friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday wasn’t enough to secure his spot in the squad for Germany.
Maguire’s calf injury prevented him from proving his fitness, while Maddison’s poor performance in the domestic season led to his exclusion.
Apart from Grealish, Maguire, and Maddison, other players like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, Burnley’s James Trafford, and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah were also left out of Southgate’s final 26-man squad.
The Football Association released the squad early, with the omitted players confirming their absence publicly.
Although Maguire has been a key figure in Southgate’s defense, his struggle with recovery from injury and absence in United’s FA Cup final win against Manchester City in May hindered his chances of making the cut.
Competing to partner alongside Manchester City’s John Stones in England’s defense are Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Brighton’s Lewis Dunk, Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa.
“I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer,” Maguire said on Instagram.
“Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted.”
‘Devastated doesn’t quite cut it’
Maddison’s recent struggles at Tottenham — combined with stiff competition in his position from Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka — delivered a fatal blow to his hopes.
“Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set,” Maddison said on social media.
United left-back Luke Shaw is in the squad despite not playing since February, while his club team-mate Kobbie Mainoo, 19, is the youngest member of the group.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, 20, is included after a strong spell since his move from Blackburn in January.
England, chasing a first major trophy for 58 years, have a final warmup game against Iceland at Wembley on Friday and start their Euro campaign against Serbia on June 16 before facing Denmark and Slovenia in their other Group C fixtures.
England’s 26-man Euro 2024 squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
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