Gareth Southgate has decided to leave Jordan Henderson out of the provisional England squad for Euro 2024, despite Henderson being a mainstay in the team just 18 months ago at the World Cup. This decision has surprised many, including Gary Neville who expressed his shock at Southgate’s call and Jamie Carragher who noticed that Henderson had not been himself recently. Henderson, who joined Ajax in January, had hoped that the move would boost his England chances, but has struggled with injuries and lack of playing time. Southgate described the decision to drop Henderson as “difficult” and acknowledged Henderson’s exceptional qualities as a player and person.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson has only played three times since mid-March due to a muscle injury picked up during England’s recent camp. Carragher revealed that he sensed Henderson was not himself when they last spoke, suggesting that the midfielder may have been dealing with the pressure and scrutiny surrounding his recent career moves. Despite Henderson’s contributions to the national team and his personal qualities, some critics have called for his exclusion from the squad for a long time. Carragher believes that Henderson didn’t deserve to be left out and praised him as a great footballer and a proper person, emphasizing the depth of his character beyond just his playing abilities.
Southgate’s decision to drop Henderson has sparked debates about the role of experienced players in the England squad, especially with the expanded squad size of 26 players for the upcoming tournament. Some expected Henderson to be included as a player-coach type figure who could provide leadership and experience on and off the field. However, Southgate opted for a different approach, leading to discussions about the criteria for squad selection and the balance between youth and experience. The final squad of 26 players will be announced after the warm-up friendly against Iceland, with the Three Lions kicking off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia.
Paul Merson criticized the exclusion of a Chelsea star from the Euro 2024 squad and took aim at Trent Alexander-Arnold, highlighting the complexities of squad selection and the challenges faced by managers in making tough decisions. Additionally, Paul Gascoigne responded to Noel Gallagher’s comments about Phil Foden, defending the young player’s talent and potential. These interactions reflect the broader context of football punditry and commentary surrounding major tournaments, where opinions and predictions can vary widely. As the excitement builds for Euro 2024, fans and experts alike are eager to see how each team will perform and which players will shine on the big stage.
