Jack Grealish, James Maddison out of England Euro 2024 squad as 'other players had stronger seasons' - Gareth Southgate

England manager Gareth Southgate explained that he left James Maddison and Jack Grealish out of his Euro 2024 squad because “other players had stronger seasons".

Southgate named his final 26-man selection for the tournament in Germany on Thursday, which included some eye-catching calls.

Manchester City forward Grealish and Tottenham Hotspur star Maddison were two high-profile casualties, while injured Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was also left out.

Jarrad Branthwaite, James Trafford, Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones were the others from the provisional squad to miss out, although Quansah will remain with the squad on standby for Friday’s friendly against Iceland at Wembley.

Southgate faced the media after his announcement and was asked to explain the snub of Grealish and Maddison.

“All the players took the news really respectfully. Of course, all players will think they should be in and that's why they are top players,” Southgate said.

"They have that self-belief and mindset, but the fact is we have some players who have been playing extremely well in the league all season.

"We just felt other players had stronger seasons, particularly in the last six months or so."

Maguire’s omission came after the United defender failed to recover from a calf injury in time for the start of the tournament.

A key player for the Three Lions under Southgate who helped them finish as runners-up at the European Championship three years ago, Maguire said he was “devastated” not to be involved."Trent (Alexander-Arnold) can play in defence and I think we have nine defenders,” Southgate said of Maguire’s absence.

"It was part of the reason why we couldn't take Maguire, because that means we would have had to take a tenth and then the balance wouldn't have been right.

"Harry has made some progress but it's been complicated, we definitely wouldn't have had him for the group stages."

Fitness concerns have also been raised about Maguire’s United team-mate Luke Shaw, who hasn’t featured since February due to injury.

But Southgate is confident that the left-back can return to top form in Germany.

"He's progressed really well in the last couple of weeks,” Southgate said.

"At the moment we think he could have some involvement in the second group game (against Denmark on June 20), but you have to keep hitting the markers.

"But he's had a good volume of work, operating at good speeds, so I think you can take one gamble and that's a gamble, we've got enough evidence to believe it can pay off.

"Positionally, with what he brings with his experience, the fact that he's a left-footer who can drive forward, that's a situation we wanted to explore."

England kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, June 16, before facing Denmark on June 20 in Frankfurt and Slovenia on June 25 in Cologne.

Southgate has led his side to World Cup semi-finals and quarter-finals, as well as to the final of the Euros three years ago, where they lost on penalties.

"Lots of teams could win. It's a very open tournament,” said the manager.

“We're excited about our prospects, we're experienced, but we know we have to deliver in this moment."

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