Southgate Reveals Why Henderson Is Out Of England's Euro 2024 Preliminary Squad

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Jordan Henderson will be absent from his preliminary 33-man England squad for Euro 2024. Henderson, who has earned 81 senior caps for England, faced significant debate over his place after joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq last year from Liverpool.

The 33-year-old midfielder was booed by some England fans during a friendly win over Australia last October. This reaction followed his controversial interview with The Athletic, where he suggested that his presence in Saudi Arabia could positively impact LGBTQ+ rights in the country. In January, Henderson moved to Ajax but has only made nine Eredivisie appearances as the former Dutch champions finished fifth.

When asked about Henderson's absence, Southgate stated, "Jordan Henderson will be a miss. He's an exceptional individual and a fantastic human being. He's been in that leadership role for a long time. We've got young players with a lot of caps. There's no reason why young players can't lead."

Southgate further explained that the squad selection process is ongoing. "The 33 isn't quite a fair definition because we're taking a longer squad with some younger players to look at. Hendo has given himself every chance. From the last camp, he missed five weeks through injury, and he hasn't been able to get to that tempo since then."

Marcus Rashford is another notable omission after a challenging season with Manchester United. Rashford scored just seven goals in 33 Premier League games this campaign, a stark contrast to his 30 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils in the 2022-23 season.

"These are of course difficult calls," Southgate added when asked about Rashford. "You are talking about players that are very important players. With Marcus, in that area of the pitch, I feel that other players have had better seasons; it's as simple as that."

England's Preliminary Squad

The announcement of the preliminary squad has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. The inclusion of younger players indicates Southgate's strategy to blend experience with emerging talent as England prepares for Euro 2024.

As the tournament approaches, the final squad selection will be closely watched, with many hoping for a balanced team capable of competing at the highest level.