Rashford, Henderson and Sterling OUT of England squad but Luke Shaw among shock names on initial list ahead of Euro 2024
RUTHLESS Gareth Southgate has sensationally axed Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson from England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
The two Three Lions regulars were left out along with Raheem Sterling Ben Chilwell and Reece James as Southgate axed a host of former favourites.
As have former Liverpool stars Henderson and Sterling.
And Chilwell and James, when they’ve been fit, have been one of The Three Lions chief’s preferred left and right backs.
But Southgate has decided to leave the United, Ajax and Chelsea stars out of his provisional 30-plus squad for this summer‘s tournament.
That’s according to The Times, The Athletic and The Daily Mail, who all claim Southgate has made NINE shock inclusions in his provisional squad.
Curtis Jones, James Trafford, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi, Jarell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite, Levi Colwill and Dean Henderson are all said to be part of the squad.
The exclusion of Henderson from the provisional squad has come as a huge surprise.
The 33-year-old has been part of the squad for the three tournaments which have taken place during Southgate’s reign.
He played in a further three tournaments under former Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson.
It’s unclear if the snub from the Euro 2024 squad will mark the end of Henderson’s international career.
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Rash Decision?
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.
It could very well be that Southgate believes he’s not played enough first-team football to warrant a place in the squad.
He made 12 appearances in all competitions for Ajax last season.
But he was out for almost six weeks due to injury, although he did return for the Dutch giants’ final three league matches of the season.
News of Henderson’s omission spread like wildfire on social media, with one England fan saying: “Finally.”
Another said: “Eras come to an end. A new begins.”
And another said: “It’s about time.”
One remarked: “Is Southgate realising things now finally?”
Another chimed in: “Unexpected but the correct choice given the year he’s had.”
Henderson’s loss could be the gain of 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who flourished in his debut season with Manchester United.
Southgate handed the teen his first caps in England‘s recent matches against Brazil and Belgium and was blown away by his displays.
He said: “He seems very calm. You can see he is taking everything in
“Talking to him tactically, he seems able to take all those concepts on.
A lot of young players now, with their academy education, are able to do that. You can see his comfort with the ball and receiving in tight areas.”
“There are a lot of steps being taken in a very short period of time, but you saw in the brief cameo the other day [against Brazil] some of the qualities he has.
“Sometimes, with the really young ones, they are not even thinking about that.”
The omission of Sterling hasn’t come as a surprise given his mixed form for Chelsea this season.
The winger made 43 appearances for the Blues last season, scoring ten goals and providing eight assists.
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is set to be England‘s starting left back in the absence of Chilwell, who only made 21 appearances last season due to injury.
The end of the road for Hendo
JORDAN HENDERSON waved goodbye to his England career the minute he stepped off the plane in Saudi Arabia after deciding to leave Liverpool.
The 33-year-old risked it all and ultimately, it has massively backfired, with his Three Lions legacy in tatters after failing to make the cut for Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad.
Henderson will never admit it, but the mega-bucks deal on offer from Saudi’s Al-Ettifaq was too good to turn down after being told by Jurgen Klopp he was surplus to requirements.
He had the chance to remain in England at another Premier League side and fight for his international future, but in the end he was blinded by money.
And having insisted he moved to Saudi to change perceptions and boost their global footballing presence, he embarrassingly left six months later with his tail between his legs to Ajax.
Those six months have not been kind to Henderson – he looks a shell of the player he once was, failing to have an impact on the Dutch giants in 12 outings in all competitions so far.
His reputation could not be lower, booed by England fans and LGBTQ supporters at Wembley last October during a friendly against Australia.
The chance to redeem himself for his country appears to have slipped away for good, and you cannot blame Southgate for finally cutting loose one of his trusted stars of past tournaments.
England may be short in midfield, but Henderson cannot and will not be trusted at the elite level anymore.