England’s 26-man squad for the European Championship has been announced, with Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Madison left out.
Gareth Southgate brought down his initial 33-man squad by cutting seven players as Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and Burnley’s James Trafford have also missed out.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is the seventh player to be cut,
with Manchester United defender Luke Shaw included in the squad despite not playing competitive football since Feb.18 due to a hamstring problem.
But Grealish and Maguire are the highest-profile casualties, having been regular squad members for the vast majority of Southgate’s eight years in charge of England.
Grealish only started 10 Premier League games this season as Man City won their fourth consecutive title.
The 28-year-old’s last England start came in October’s friendly win against Australia at Wembley but he was a used substitute in all five of their World Cup matches in Qatar.
ENGLAND SQUAD FOR 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP:
Goalkeepers:
Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders:
Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders:
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton
Forwards:
Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
Maguire has been battling with a calf problem, but Southgate offered an encouraging update earlier in the week by insisting the centre-back was progressing well.
However, doubts were raised that the 31-year-old would miss England’s opening Group C game against Serbia — and possibly more matches after that — and as a result, Southgate has opted to leave him behind.
Maguire reacts:
“I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer.
“Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf.
Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted.
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“For me, representing England is the highest honour. It means everything to me.
If I can’t help the team as a player, I will support them as a fan – along with the rest of the country. Go and win it boys.
“Next, I will return to the supervision of the Manchester United medical team in order to prepare for next season.”
Maddison had to withdraw from the Euro 2024 qualifiers in November due to an ankle injury sustained during Spurs’ 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
Prior to that, Maddison had three goals and five assists for Tottenham in his 11 appearances since joining the club from Leicester City in June.
The midfielder struggled to recapture his early-season form since returning from injury at the end of January, scoring just one Premier League goal against Aston Villa on March 10.
Maddison was part of England’s 2022 World Cup squad but did not play a single minute as he battled a knee injury.
Maddison:
“Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make.
“I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26-man squad as I feel I bring something different and had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that.
“I’ll be back, I have no doubt. Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends.
I genuinely hope football comes home.”
England face Iceland at Wembley on Friday before departing for Germany on Monday. Their opening game against Serbia takes place on June 16.
