Winger Marcus Rashford, author of a disappointing season with Manchester United, is not included in England’s extended squad for preparation for Euro 2024 unveiled Tuesday by the coach of the vice-European champions, Gareth Southgate .
The 26-year-old striker with 60 caps, regular member of the Three Lions, is coming off a failed season during which he scored 8 goals and delivered 5 assists, in all competitions, far from the performances achieved the previous year (30 goals and 10 “assists”).
These are difficult decisions to make. In Marcus’ case, I just feel like other players in that area have had better seasons. It’s as simple as that,” Southgate justified himself at a press conference.
On the left wing, the coach of the reigning European vice-champions can count on Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
In March, Southgate had already no longer considered Rashford as a starter. The Mancunian came on at the end of the match against Brazil (1-0 defeat) in place of Gordon, Newcastle winger, before remaining among the substitutes against Belgium (2-2).
The coach also did not call up Jordan Henderson (81st selection), Ajax Amsterdam midfielder in whom he had nevertheless maintained his confidence during his criticized stint in Saudi Arabia. Chelsea’s Reece James and Raheem Sterling are also left out.
In total, 33 players were selected for the “Three Lions” preparation camp. The list will be reduced to a maximum of 26 one week before the start of the Euro (June 14-July 14) in Germany.
In this expanded list appear new faces, such as those of Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) and Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), 21-year-old defenders, or that of Adam Wharton, 20-year-old midfielder playing at Crystal Palace.
The youngest remains Kobbie Mainoo, 19-year-old midfielder, one of the rare rays of sunshine in Manchester United’s dark season.
England group selected for training camp for the Euro:
Gardiens: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley)
Défenseurs: Kyle Walker (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
Milieux: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
Attaquants: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/GER), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), James Maddison (Tottenham), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/ESP), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)