Jamie Carragher has criticised one particular omission from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
The seven players to miss out on the Euros have been unveiled, with James Maddison coming first on Wednesday and Jack Grealish being another huge omission.
An injured Harry Maguire will not make the cut despite returning to England training early to try and regain fitness.
And Carragher has taken issue with one particular decision by Southgate – the exclusion of Branthwaite.
Jamie Carragher has criticised Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave out Jarrad Branthwaite from his Euro 2024 squad
Branthwaite is England’s ‘present and future’ according to the former Liverpool defender
Branthwaite, who made his England debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina, has had a storming season at Everton
Carragher wrote on X: ‘Lots of bigger names than Jarrad Branthwaite have missed out on the England squad, but he should’ve been picked to go to Euro 2024. He’s England’s present & future.’
Branthwaite only made his debut for England as a substitute against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night but there has been a lot of clamour for his selection.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed such a stellar year in a stuttering Everton side that the Toffees reportedly planted a £100million price tag on his shoulders in December.
He has emerged as one of Manchester United’s key defensive targets as they look to replace Raphael Varane, who has left Old Trafford after three years.
A chorus of commenters on social media agreed with the Carragher’s opinion.
‘Dunk over Branthwaite? Not sure about that,’ wrote one fan on X.
‘Dunk over Branthwaite,’ said another, with a pile of laughing face emojis.
In disbelief, one wrote: ‘They kept Dunk over Branthwaite???’
Fans could not believe that Southgate would omit Branthwaite in favour of Lewis Dunk
They are shocked by the decision to include Brighton defender Dunk despite his seniority
‘Wow harsh about Branthwaite,’ said another.
‘How did Dunk survive over Branthwaite,’ asked one.
With Maguire not getting the nod due to his fitness troubles, Southgate had to make a big call about who to include at the back.
The England centre-back hasn’t played since April and was expected to miss tomorrow’s final warm-up game against Iceland.
There is no confirmation from the FA over Maguire’s availability for the tournament but if he isn’t selected it would be the first time Southgate has entered a major tournament without the Manchester United man.
Elsewhere, Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones also will be among the players to miss out on the final England squad for Euro 2024.
Jones will join Maddison who has also been told he won’t make the final cut.
The Anfield star was handed his first call up when Gareth Southgate named his provisional 33 man party for the tournament last month.
But he will miss out on travelling to Germany, as will Tottenham midfielder Maddison, who was widely viewed as one of the players at risk of missing out following a largely disappointing second half of the season.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish (centre) has paid the price for his disappointing season at Man City
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire – who would have been a likely starter – misses out due to a calf injury
James Trafford and Jarrad Branthwaite are also set to be confirmed as omissions
It is understood Maddison was in line to play in Friday’s final warm-up fixture versus Iceland, but that will no longer be the case with Jarrod Bowen pushing to take his place in the team. Sources indicate Maddison’s decision to leave the squad on Wednesday is linked to Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the final party.
Branthwaite and Trafford are also expected to be named as omissions.
Posting on X after news on his axeing broke today, Tottenham star Maddison said: ‘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.’
Maguire later posted: ‘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.
Liverpool pair Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah miss the cut after receiving their first England senior team call-up
Southgate has cut some big-name players from the squad including Grealish (left)
‘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.’
Southgate speaks at 6pm tonight ahead of tomorrow night’s final warm-up game against Iceland.
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