GARETH SOUTHGATE has brutally axed England regulars Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson from his Euro 2024 squad.
The Three Lions boss showed no mercy as he ditched two of his favourite players from the 33-man training group.
Instead, Southgate has announced a bold squad filled with talented youngsters, with FIVE uncapped players making the cut.
Henderson had been one of Southgate’s go-to stars since his appointment in 2016, featuring in 53 of the boss’s 93 games.
While Rashford, who came off the bench in March’s friendly defeat to Brazil, had played 57 times under Southgate.
But despite both men being key cogs in previous squads, their poor form at club level this season has resulted in them being left out.
READ MORE ON ENGLAND
Just 25 minutes after the initial announcement, Rashford posted a heartfelt message on social media.
It read: “Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament.”
On his ruthless decision, Southgate said: “The 33 isn’t quite a fair definition because we’re taking a longer squad with some young players who we want to have a look at.
“Considering the disappointment, they dealt with it really well.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“Clearly you’d like to have experienced players and it’s still possible that we can play in a way that we have that. But we feel these are the best players we have at this time.”
On Henderson’s exclusion, Southgate added: “The determining factor is the injury he had around the last camp. He missed five weeks.
“He’s a fantastic professional. It was a really difficult call to make. He’s been so supportive during my time here.
“He’ll be a miss, there’s no doubt about that. He’s a fantastic human being. He’s been in that leadership role for a long time.
“We have young players with a lot of caps. There’s no reason young players can’t lead.
“We’ve moved away a little bit from the defined leadership group. Sometimes when you limit that group it means others don’t step forward when they might and defy to a hierarchy.
Rash Decision?
By Jordan Davies
MARCUS RASHFORD will be hurting, but he can have no complaints.
His omission from Gareth Southgate’s 30-man provisional Euros squad has been a long time coming with his Manchester United form plummeting week on week.
And this term has seen England boss Southgate – a loyal selector of the United forward during his darkest moments – make one of the toughest calls of his tenure to date.
Rashford, 26, has scored just eight goals in all competitions for Erik ten Hag’s side this campaign – his joint-second worst return in his entire career.
He had a decent impact at the Qatar World Cup last November, scoring twice, and netted most recently in a 3-1 home win over Italy in Euros qualifying last October.
But they were just fleeting moments in what has been dismal period for the Red Devil. Hopefully this is the catalyst that will prompt him to turn his career around.
“I want input from various areas. I have noticed occasions where, even with the captain and vice-captain, there’s a bit of deferential behaviour and we don’t want that.”
Elsewhere, captain Harry Kane makes the cut despite struggling with a back injury.
And there are plenty of places up for grabs, with nods for Kobbie Mainoo, James Maddison and Ivan Toney.
Jarrell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite and Curtis Jones will get a chance to impress too.
And Crystal Palace quartet Dean Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Marc Guehi have also been included.
But there is no place for Reece James or Ben Chilwell after their injury issues at Chelsea, with Eric Dier and Raheem Sterling missing out as well.
Southgate will now put his 30 players through their paces before narrowing down his final squad to 26 names on June 7.
On places up for grabs, Southgate continued: “Everybody has a chance. The reason for a longer squad is we were in a similar situation before the last Euros.
“There are some injury issues that are very obvious and apparent and there are some that are more nuanced that we don’t have all the info on. Sometimes we need to see the players before making a decision.
“I think we can make better decisions with time.”
England will hold an open training session at Middlesbrough’s Rockcliffe Park next week.
And the Three Lions will get their first taste of action together in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on June 3.
Four days later they will take on Iceland at Wembley before kicking off their Euros campaign against Serbia on June 16.
England’s next group game sees them face Denmark before wrapping things up against Slovenia.
Southgate will be hoping to have a nailed-on starting XI for the beginning of the tournament.
But with doubts over Luke Shaw’s fitness, Kieran Trippier is in line to be England’s left-back this summer.
Southgate said on Shaw: “I have to say he’s up against He’s missed a lot of football. I’m not sure what is realistic at this time. I’ve liaised with Man Utd very closely. I’d have to say he’s a long shot.”
Southgate is also keen on playing Trent Alexander-Arnold next to Rice in the upcoming friendlies, which would leave Bellingham as the No10 and Player of the Season Foden out wide.
On the midfielder selection dilemma, Southgate said: “The key with Phil is where he ends up, not in his starting position. With City, he’s often allowed to drift and it’s the same with us.
“Jude has played all season as a 10, but has often defended on the left. I think it’s about where you let the players to drift to that’s the key. We would never pin them to one position.
Southgate wields the axe
By Jordan Davies
INTERNATIONAL football’s Mr Conservative has taken a machete to his squad in one of the most brutal England squad shake-ups in recent memory.
Gareth Southgate has built a reputation in the Three Lions hot-seat by sticking to what he knows, and who he knows, in order to navigate major tournaments without any dramas.
Reliable, experienced faces with trust in the bank and little to no surprises on offer that have managed to reach finals and semi-finals in tournaments gone by.
But ahead of this summer’s Euros – a competition that England are expected to win and win well – Southgate appears to be throwing caution to the wind in a bid to excite and amaze.
Ben Chilwell, Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling have all been left out of Southgate’s provisional 30-man squad – the latter three boarded the plane to Qatar in November 2022.
And in come the young guns – Crystal Palace duo Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Burnley keeper James Trafford.
Is Southgate finally picking on current form and potential instead of past heroics? It looks that way.
The future is bright, and Southgate is ready to shake things up in order to reflect that.
“Phil has had a brilliant season. You want him in those central areas, as you do with one or two others. We have to find a way to make that happen.”
Meanwhile, England continue to sweat over Kane’s fitness after he missed Bayern Munich’s final two games with a back problem.
Outgoing boss Thomas Tuchel said: “Harry is receiving treatment from his personal doctor. He cannot travel. He was already at the limit versus Real Madrid. It was a borderline decision for him to play.
“He had a complete blockade in his back, it’s got worse and bothers him in everyday movements. There was no chance for him to participate in the game.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
When asked about other options, Southgate said: “Not just Harry but Raheem as well. He was crucial in the last tournaments. We’ve shared that load as well.
“Bukayo has weighed in with a lot of goals. We need people to come in. To go the distance you need good depth in the squad and the ability to refresh the team as well.”
Inside German castle England Wags plan to stay at for Euro 2024
England’s Wags plan to stay in a luxury German castle during the Euros this summer.
A source revealed they are keen to let their hair down after abiding by strict rules at the World Cup in Qatar, and are planning a stay in a private, secluded area.
The Wags have scouted the five-star Schlosshotel resort in Kronberg, where rooms cost up to £1,750 a night, and the Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.
The hotel also offers a limousine service for guests, comes with on-call masseuses and butlers and boasts a Porsche rental service.
The group are also looking at Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.
It offers cocktail bars, Michelin star chefs and a team of personal assistants to assist with any requests.
The group could include Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan, Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Kyle Walker’s wife Annie and Luke Shaw’s partner Anouska Santos.
Read more on the Wags’ plans for the summer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
