June 7 – England manager Gareth Southgate (pictured) has defended his team selection after it was revealed that a number of England’s stars will be dropped, with the 26-man squad list finalised on Thursday.
Harry Maguire, James Maddison and Jack Grealish, were the biggest names omitted and join Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in watching the Three Lions from home this summer.
Eager to promote young, in-form talent as a response to criticism from recent campaigns, Southgate kept Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Antony Gordon in his squad after they left a good impression since linking up with the England squad last week.
“There’s some disappointment today but there’ll be a lot of excitement about players we’ve selected and to see some of the players who mean we’ve got a different look about us in terms of how we play,” Southgate told reporters.
“I think people will be captivated by that. For some (players), they’ve had few opportunities to play at Wembley and that’s hugely exciting for them.
“I’m trying to conduct myself respectfully because of the players who have gone today. But equally I’m hugely excited about the squad.”
Manchester United’s often-criticised defender Harry Maguire was ruled out due to a recurring injury. The centre of defence is England’s weak spot and Maguire had formed a long-term partnership with John Stones, but Maguire’s absence will open opportunity as Southgate has to look beyond one of his stalwarts.
Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez are Stones’ potential defensive partners but they have just 33 caps between them.
“I think all the centre-backs in the squad are ready,” said Southgate.
“They’ve all had experience with us. Ezri (Konsa) has had an excellent season. Marc (Guehi) is the one that’s had more opportunities with us. We’ve seen what he can bring for a while.
“Look, we’ll be different. We’ll miss Harry’s aerial presence. There’s no doubt about that but there’s more speed in those guys so everybody has different attributes.”
England kick off their Euros campaign versus Serbia on the June 16 as they look to go one step further from the heartbreak of Wembley three years ago.
England
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 United), 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 United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734805391labto1734805391ofdlr1734805391owedi1734805391sni@g1734805391niwe.1734805391yrrah1734805391