England pair have been axed for different reasons, with Jack Grealish struggling for form for Manchester City last season while Manchester United defender Maguire has been an injury doubt
England superstars Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire are expected to miss out on Euro 2024 in a huge blow to Gareth Southgate.
It’s understood the pair have been axed for different reasons. Grealish struggled for form for Manchester City last season while Manchester United defender Maguire has been an injury doubt after hurting his calf in April.
Maguire has been following an individual training programme but it’s understood Southgate is not willing to take a risk on the defender. It is a huge blow, as the former Leicester star has been a key player for the Three Lions over the last three major tournaments.
In a statement on Thursday, Maguire said: “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.
“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.
Grealish has also been a star for England, having impressed when the nation reached the Euros final in 2021. The full list of names expected to be cut are: Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, James Trafford and Jarrad Branthwaite.
England confirmed that Tottenham star Maddison and Liverpool midfielder Jones had left the training camp on Thursday, with the Three Lions preparing to play Iceland in their last pre-Euro 2024 friendly on Friday night.
The Football Association said in a statement: ” James Maddison and Curtis Jones have departed the England camp, having been told they are not part of our final Euro 2024 squad. We thank them for being an important part of our pre-tournament preparation.”
Maddison, who went to the 2022 World Cup but did not make an appearance and has won seven caps in total, admitted he was “devastated” to be left out and felt he could have brought “something different” to the squad.
He wrote on social media: “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 & 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.”
There were 27 players involved in training on the eve of the Iceland match, with Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham the only one yet to link up with England following his Champions League final win.
Anthony Gordon was able to train after missing Monday’s match against Bosnia through injury, while Lewis Dunk, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw followed individual programmes on Thursday.
Southgate has until 11pm on Friday to submit his final squad to UEFA, with the 26-man selection scheduled to be announced on Saturday morning.
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