England boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed his final 26-man squad for Euro 2024, with the omissions of Manchester City and Manchester United players standing out.
Over the past several hours, multiple reports have identified the unfortunate seven players axed from Southgate's selection for the final tournament, where England will take on Serbia, Slovenia and Denmark in Group C.
UEFA approved the expansion of squad sizes from 23 to 26 for the upcoming edition, and Southgate called up an initial 33 players to his training camp for two friendlies with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland.
As a result, at least seven and up to 10 men were facing the axe, and Southgate revealed his final picks on Thursday evening, calling up the full 26 players he is permitted to but leaving out some notable names.
Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire left out of England squad
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Among the seven players to not make the cut is Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, who endured a frustrating 2023-24 season with Manchester City but registered an assist off the bench in Monday's 3-0 beating of Bosnia.
In spite of his strong showing at St James' Park, Grealish is overlooked for the likes of Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer - two other bright sparks from Monday - and Anthony Gordon, in spite of the latter's ankle injury.
Another Three Lions stalwart - Manchester United's Harry Maguire - has been removed from the group as well, having failed to overcome the calf injury that ruled him out for the final few weeks of the season.
Maguire confirmed his snub on social media before England's official announcement, admitting that he was "absolutely gutted" and that he may have 'pushed too hard' in his bid to be fit for the tournament.
The Man United defender is one of three centre-backs omitted from the final 26, a list that also includes Liverpool's Jarell Quansah and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, in spite of the latter's brilliant form throughout 2023-24.
Luke Shaw in after "long shot" claims
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However, Southgate has taken a huge risk by keeping Maguire's teammate Luke Shaw, whom the England boss admitted was a "long shot" for the Euros when making his provisional selection due to his muscular problem.
Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa have also been preferred to Branthwaite, and as previously reported on Thursday, there is no space for Liverpool's Curtis Jones or Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison, both of whom left the camp earlier in the day after being informed of Southgate's decision.
With Jones and Maddison cut from the ranks, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton - who only made his debut on Monday evening - and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo are both included on the plane to Germany.
As expected, Burnley's James Trafford is the one goalkeeper to be sent home, as Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale prepare to play third and second fiddle to Jordan Pickford once again.
England begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16, before meeting Denmark on June 20 and Slovenia on June 25.
England Euro 2024 squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), 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)
Ben Knapton
