England Euro Squad Sparks Critique! Southgate Tagged as Major Weakness!

Jafar224

England football boasts abundant talent, inevitably leading to some notable omissions each time a major tournament squad is announced. For instance, established national team regulars like Sterling have been left out for over a year. With the European Championship approaching, it's no surprise that many stars have missed out this time, some of which have been unexpected.

In the latest England Euro squad, Sterling unsurprisingly continues to be omitted, while other key players like Harry Kane, Saka, Bellingham, Foden, and Rice have made the cut. However, there have been a few unexpected exclusions that have sparked discussions, particularly those of Maddison, Maguire, and Grealish.

Maddison's omission is the least debated among the three. Despite his strong start last season, his performance upon returning from injury failed to replicate his initial brilliance. Additionally, the emergence of young talents like Palmer in the same position contributed to Maddison's exclusion.

Maguire's exclusion, on the other hand, was unexpected. However, he promptly announced his withdrawal due to injury following the squad announcement, an unfortunate but unavoidable circumstance.

The most controversial exclusion is undoubtedly Grealish's. Many did not anticipate his omission from the squad. Despite his inconsistent playing time last season due to injury and less impressive stats, Grealish possesses qualities lacking in the team. Moreover, his form hasn't declined significantly. Considering the team's need for diversity, Southgate's decision to leave him out has surprised many, with even key midfielder Rice expressing sadness over Grealish's exclusion.

Kalkin995

There will never be a perfect squad that satisfies everyone, this is an impossible task.

Kapil334

It's not surprising that Grealish didn't make the cut. He can always be selected again whenever he regains his form!

Ritu77

Perhaps some matches just aren't suitable for them. I remember there was a surprising lineup in the last match, seemingly based on the preference of their own coach.

Shri

Although it's been said that Southgate is the weakest link in England, he's the only one who has managed to lead England to the World Cup semi-finals and the Euro final in recent years. So I don't think Southgate is as bad as people say. England's players have big names, but many of them are just that—names without substance. Southgate's selection this time mainly depends on the players' form. Can you believe that the team with the most English players in this year's Euros is Crystal Palace, a mid-table team in the Premier League? The main reason is that Crystal Palace had a great run towards the end of the season, so their English players earned the chance to play in the Euros. I don't think Southgate should be criticized for this. The Euros last only a month, so it's natural to choose players in good form. Big names don't necessarily perform well, but good form can bring out the best in players. It's regrettable that Maguire is injured, and Grealish truly doesn't deserve to be in the national team for the Euros. Grealish has played 36 games for Manchester City this season, totaling 2114 minutes with 3 goals and 3 assists. Maybe that doesn't ring a bell, so let's make a comparison. Grealish's performance this season is similar to that of Manchester United's Martial. So, I don't think anyone would argue that Grealish deserves a spot in the national team. Therefore, I think Southgate has done nothing wrong. Choosing players in good form is the fairest thing to do. I'm still looking forward to England's performance. Kane is at his peak, so he'll surely perform well in the Euros. If Bellingham gets enough support in midfield, he can shine too. Let's all look forward to England's results together.

Iti9

"Every year, England is said to have an abundance of talent, but their results are usually not great, except for reaching the final of the 2020 European Championship and finishing as runners-up.

England's fate is truly unfortunate. I remember before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the right-back position was filled with talent, including players like Reece James, Kyle Walker, and Liverpool's full-back, Alexander-Arnold. However, ultimately Alexander-Arnold was excluded by the coach, and both Reece James and Kyle Walker missed out due to injuries. Why did so many injuries occur within two months? Is it really just fate? I don't think so.

In this tournament, it would have been right to bring along some veterans, such as Raheem Sterling. When facing big occasions, especially if the score is tied or needs to be overturned, having a veteran to stabilize the team is crucial. Although Sterling is still seen as a young player by many, his experience in major tournaments and exposure to high-pressure situations surpasses many younger players. Players like Bellingham and Foden may be in their prime and on the rise, but in terms of tournament experience, they still lack a bit. Nowadays, many European teams have similar strengths, not only in terms of physical fitness but also because players from various countries compete in major leagues, understanding each other's playing styles and characteristics. The difference in strength is not that significant. Let's see how far England can go this time, it's really up to fate."