England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed why he dropped Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.
Southgate released his provisional squad for Euro 2024 and notable absentees from the list include Rashford, Henderson, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Reece James.
With fans not skeptical of Sterling, James and Sancho’s ommison, eyebrows were raised over the ommison of Rashford and Henderson.
Reacting to this, Southgate stated that leaving Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson out of England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad were “difficult decisions” he had to make.
According to Southgate, he simply felt “other players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons” than Rashford, while Henderson had not returned to the requisite level of intensity.
“Hendo has given himself every chance,” said Southgate, who also overlooked left-back Ben Chilwell, having left out now-injured Kalvin Phillips in March.
“The determining factor is the injury he picked up around the last camp. He’s missed five weeks and just hasn’t been able to get to the intensity in the games since then.
“Look, he’s a fantastic professional and that was a really difficult call to make because he’s been so important, so supportive in my time here.
“I have to say all the boys when I’ve spoken to them – Ben, Marcus, Jordan, who were the three that were with us last time – were incredibly professional. Considering the disappointment, they dealt with it very well.”
Rashford has been to the last four major tournaments and vice-captain Henderson is a veteran of six tournaments.
England’s provisional Euro 2024 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, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.
