Reports indicate that two additional players have been excluded from England’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024. Initially, Gareth Southgate selected a provisional 33-man squad, with the expectation that seven members would be omitted from the final roster.
Amidst speculation regarding the final squad announcement, it emerged on Wednesday night that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison will not be representing the Three Lions in this summer’s tournament. Maddison, who played 28 Premier League matches last season under manager Ange Postecoglou, also participated in England’s 3-0 friendly win against Bosnia. However, he will not be traveling to Germany with the final team. Notably, Maddison was part of the squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup but did not feature in any matches during the competition.
Additionally, Curtis Jones of Liverpool is another player who will not be included in Southgate’s final preparations. Jones, who made 36 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool last season, has been informed of his exclusion. The Daily Mail reports that his Liverpool teammate, Jarell Quansah, is also likely to miss out. Southgate had previously expressed his admiration for Quansah, noting the full-back’s significant development and potential.
Reflecting on Quansah’s performance in the Bosnia friendly, Southgate remarked, “We were quite happy with his display. He is developing a strong character and has shown a keen willingness to learn since I first spoke to him about this role a year ago. His performance in the last half hour of the game also highlighted a crucial alternative for us.”
Southgate further commented on the strategic challenges ahead, stating, “We are going to face various difficulties in this tournament, and we need to have different methods to tackle the problems posed by other teams.”
As England’s final squad for Euro 2024 shapes up, the decisions to leave out players like Maddison and Jones underscore the competitive nature of the selection process. Southgate’s focus on versatile and adaptable strategies indicates his commitment to navigating the complexities of the upcoming tournament. The final squad, while formidable, will need to adapt and perform under the pressures of international competition, embodying the depth and resilience that Southgate has cultivated within the team.