England announce the final EUROs squad list: Kane leads, Quansah, Maguire dropped
GARETH SOUTHGATE has confirmed his 26-man squad for Euro 2024 - with no places for the likes of Harry Maguire or Jack Grealish.
The ruthless England boss, 53, was tasked with cutting seven members of his provisional 33-man squad.
Last night it emerged that James Maddison had left the camp after learning that he had been omitted by Southgate.
It then emerged that Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah had also missed out.
As expected James Trafford was then cut, with Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson selected as Southgate's goalkeepers.
The bombshell then dropped that experienced duo Maguire and Grealish had failed to make the squad.
Manchester United star Maguire, 31, had already been a doubt - having not played since April due to a calf issue.
Having hoped to be ready in time, the 63-cap defender lost his fitness race.
Grealish, meanwhile, was a more surprise omission.
The Manchester City star, 28, was limited to just 10 Premier League starts last term after falling out of favour with boss Pep Guardiola.
But the 36-cap ace had still been expected to make it, having even grabbed an assist during his 27-minute cameo against Bosnia on Monday.
The seventh player to be cut by Southgate was defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Despite making his Three Lions debut against Bosnia, the Carlisle-born ace missed out - with centre-backs John Stones, Marc Guehi, Joe Gomez, Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa preferred.
Tottenham star Maddison, 27, was the first omitted star to publicly speak out.
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."
Jude Bellingham responded to Maddison's post with a sad emoji.
While Declan Rice added: "We’re going to miss you brother."
Maguire subsequently admitted that he was "absolutely gutted" to have missed out.
He wrote on social media: "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."
