England Euro 2024 Squad: Rashford and Henderson out as Southgate turns ruthless

England manager Gareth Southgate has named his provisional England Euro 2024 squad, and there are a couple of surprises from the pre-tournament favourites. Jordan Henderson has been left out of the 33-man squad, along with experienced heads such as Ben Chilwell, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling. 

Meanwhile, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Jarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite have all been included in the initial squad as Southgate looks to blood young defenders in this training camp. The squad will be cut down to 26 for the final tournament, but these players are being given a chance to prove themselves ahead of that final decision. 

James Maddison, Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze are all included as Southgate looks to refresh the midfield area of his team, while Jarrod Bowen has also made it and Cole Palmer is an obvious inclusion after his remarkable goalscoring season. Jack Grealish and Anthony Gordon are in the squad on the wing, which means there is no place for the out-of-form Rashford. 

Sterling is also a notable omission, albeit not as surprising. He has not been included in any England squad so far this season, but has always produced on the big stage for his country. At Euro 2020, he was arguably England's player of the tournament, and scored some crucial goals along the way to the final. However, things haven't gone well since his move to Chelsea and a result, he misses out.

The same can be said of Henderson. For so long he has been one of Southgate's trusted men in midfield, and with a lack of depth and constant support from the manager, it was thought that he would make it into the long-list. However, his move to Saudi Arabia has completely back-fired on all fronts, and even a mid-season move to Ajax couldn't get him back into this England squad.

England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone, James Trafford

Defenders: Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarrell Quansah, Lewis Dunk, Luke Shaw.

Midfielders: Adam Wharton, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, Conor Gallagher, James Maddison, Eberechi Eze.

Forwards: Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon

Reece James' injuries have kept him out of this one, while Luke Shaw has made it despite missing a large chunk of the last couple of months. The Three Lions simply don't have much depth in that area and Shaw has proven himself time and time again for his country. Southgate will be keen to look at the young players he has included in defensive positions, and Trippier can cover on that side.

Up front, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins have both been selected as understudies to Harry Kane, which means Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke unfortunately misses out. Watkins has enjoyed the season of his life with 19 goals and 13 assists, and while Solanke matched that goal tally, he hasn't yet had any England experience unlike both Toney and Watkins. 

We now know some of the names that won't be in England's Euro 2024 squad, although the final 26-man squad doesn’t have to be confirmed until June 8. Southgate's next task is choosing which of these fringe players in this provisional squad will be left at home.