Euro 2024: Southgate omits Rashford; claims England can claim glory in Germany

Rashford and Southgate

Gareth Southgate feels England can ‘absolutely’ go one step further in Germany and win Euro 2024 this summer.

Southgate could well be entering his final tournament as England manager, with reports suggesting he is highly regarded by the new Manchester United hierarchy.

And he has shown his ruthless streak after leaving United forward Marcus Rashford and former Liverpool talisman Jordan Henderson out of his provisional 33-man squad for the tournament which starts on June 14.

England are in Group C alongside Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia, who they face in their Euro 2024 opener on June 16.

But Rashford and Henderson will be watching on from home as Southgate aims to win some silverware, having lost to Italy on penalties in the European Championship final at Wembley three years ago.

Southgate needs to trim his squad down to 26 players by June 7, and has some friendlies between now and then to assess his playing staff.

But he is bullish about England’s chances of lifting the trophy in Germany, telling a press conference on Tuesday: "I'd be an idiot if I said no, but if I said yes, that doesn't mean there's not a lot of work ahead of us.

"There's no doubt what is possible. The team has been close already. They know what is possible, they know what they've won at club level and what that's taken.

"And equally, you can see cup football, which we're going into, we know you have to navigate game by game and qualify from the group.

"But in knockout football, the Champions League showed that Man City and Arsenal were in the best three teams this year and didn't get to where they wanted to, as it's one moment and fine margins.

"That is our world. You have to deliver on those moments. But are we one of those teams who can win? Of course, absolutely."

READ MORE: Euro 2024: A look at England manager Gareth Southgate’s career so far

Uncapped quartet Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah and Adam Wharton have all been included in Southgate’s extended training squad of 33.

And other eye-catching inclusions include Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo, Chelsea star Cole Palmer and Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

Chelsea quartet Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling and Reece James have been overlooked by Southgate - but it is the omission is Rashford hogging the headlines.

The United man made the cut for Southgate’s World Cup squads in 2018 and 2022, as well as the last Euros squad in 2021.

But Rashford has been well off the boil this season under Erik ten Hag, scoring just eight goals.

Southgate explained his decision, saying: “These are of course difficult calls. You are talking about very good players who have been important in what we've done over a number of years.

"With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch had better seasons. It's as simple as that."

Rashford took the news gracefully, writing on Instagram: "Wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament."

England's 33-player provisional squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley)

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jude Bellingham, (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)