Jack Grealish and James Maddison have been left out of the England Euro 2024 squad because other players had more impressive seasons.

A good night for us – Southgate reacts to England’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

England manager Gareth Southgate expressed his satisfaction with England’s performance in their recent victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking to the media after the match, Southgate discussed his decision to exclude James Maddison and Jack Grealish from the Euro 2024 squad, stating that other players had stronger seasons.

Southgate unveiled his final 26-man squad for the tournament in Germany, which included some surprising choices. Grealish and Maddison, both highly regarded players, were left out, along with injured Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. Jarrad Branthwaite, James Trafford, Jarell Quansah, and Curtis Jones were also omitted from the provisional squad, although Quansah will remain on standby for the upcoming friendly against Iceland.

When asked about the exclusion of Grealish and Maddison, Southgate praised the players for their professionalism and understanding. He acknowledged that all players believe they should be included, but ultimately, other individuals had stronger performances, particularly in the last six months.

Maguire’s absence from the squad was due to his failure to recover from a calf injury in time for the tournament. Southgate explained that the decision was influenced by the need to maintain a balanced squad, as taking Maguire would have required an additional defender. Despite his disappointment, Maguire understood the reasoning behind the decision.

There have also been concerns about the fitness of Luke Shaw, another Manchester United player. Shaw has been sidelined since February due to injury, but Southgate remains optimistic about his potential return to form. He stated that Shaw has made significant progress in recent weeks and could potentially feature in the second group game against Denmark on June 20.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Southgate acknowledged the competitiveness of the field, stating that many teams have a chance to win. He emphasized the importance of delivering in the present moment and expressed his excitement about England’s prospects.

England will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16, followed by matches against Denmark on June 20 and Slovenia on June 25. Southgate has previously led the team to the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the Euros, where they narrowly lost on penalties.