Marcus Rashford and other significant players missing from England's Euro 2024 preliminary team list
On Tuesday, the England manager, Gareth Southgate, disclosed a 33-member squad set to be reduced to 26 players in preparation for the June 14 commencement continental tournament in Germany.
Marcus Rashford, aged 26, has played 60 games for England, finding the back of the net 17 times. Unfortunately, his form at club level has been dismal, managing only eight goals in 42 games for Manchester United.
When asked about Rashford's exclusion from the squad, Southgate remarked, "It's challenging to decide. With Marcus, I simply feel some other players in that position have fared better this season."
Shortly after the announcement, Rashford posted an Instagram story showcasing the England provisional squad with the message, "Sending Gareth and the team my best wishes for the upcoming tournament."
Additionally, ex-Liverpool captain and Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson, Chelsea's Reece James, and Chelsea teammate Raheem Sterling, were left out of the final selection.
Henderson endured a discussion season, which included a brief tenure at Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq before transferring to Ajax mid-year but has been harmed by injuries.
"Henderson fought hard for a place on the team. The tipping point was the injury he sustained during the past camp," Southgate added. "He's an exemplary role model; making that choice wasn't easy."
Young United starlet Kobbie Mainoo is included in the squad, as well as teammates Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, despite the latter's prolonged injury absence.
The potent strike force of Harry Kane, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Manchester City's Phil Foden, and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka should provide an essential backing for Kane.
Southgate has involved a total of five unrecognized players: Liverpool players Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
England aims to surpass their Euro 2020 semifinal loss to Italy on penalties three years ago.
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Despite his absence from the preliminary team, Rashford remains passionate about England's Euro 2024 journey, publicly expressing his support for the squad on social media.
In the absence of senior players like Rashford and Henderson, young talents like Kobbie Mainoo and Curtis Jones have been given an opportunity to shine in England's Euro 2024 campaign.
Source: edition.cnn.com
