May 22nd 2024.
Former Manchester United and England player, Gary Neville, shared his surprise and disappointment upon learning about one particular omission from England's provisional squad for Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions' manager, announced a 33-man training group, which will eventually be reduced to 26 players by June 7th.
England is considered one of the top contenders for the Euro 2024 title, given their impressive performances in the previous two World Cups and their heartbreaking loss on penalties in the Euro 2020 final. Neville, like many others, is excited about England's chances in Germany this summer. However, he was taken aback by the absence of Jordan Henderson from the initial squad.
Henderson, who has been a part of every major tournament since Euro 2012 and has earned 81 caps for his country, was overlooked due to his disappointing and controversial season. The 33-year-old played for Al-Ettifaq and Ajax, making only 19 appearances in Saudi Arabia before joining Ajax in January. His form and fitness have been a concern, which ultimately led to his exclusion from the squad.
Neville expressed his shock on The Overlap, stating, "Why's that happened? I didn't expect that. I didn't think he would start at the Euros, but he was a mainstay in the team at Qatar. I thought he would be in there because he's a good player to have in the squad and can do a job." The former defender also pointed out the shortage of experienced midfielders in the squad and the potential impact it could have on the team's performance.
Despite his disappointment, Neville remains hopeful about England's chances in the tournament. He believes their biggest weakness lies in their defense and is concerned about the midfield being too open. However, he also acknowledges the potential for an exciting and attacking style of play.
Southgate explained his decision to omit Henderson, stating that his injury during the previous camp and his subsequent struggles to reach the required intensity in the games played a significant role. He also praised Henderson's professionalism and character, calling him an exceptional individual and a fantastic human being.
Henderson was not the only high-profile player to miss out on the provisional squad, with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford also being left out. Southgate defended his choices, stating that other players in the same position have had better seasons.
The Three Lions will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16th, followed by matches against Denmark and Slovenia. England's ultimate goal is to win their first men's major trophy since 1966, and they hope to achieve that with the current squad. Despite some notable absences, the team remains confident and determined to bring the trophy home.
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