Jamie Carragher has criticized a particular omission in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
The seven players who will miss the European Championship have been announced, with James Maddison taking the top spot on Wednesday and Jack Grealish another major omission.
An injured Harry Maguire will not make it despite returning to England early to train to regain fitness.
The four remaining omissions will be confirmed as Curtis Jones, Jarrell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Trafford.
And Carragher has taken issue with one particular Southgate decision: Branthwaite’s exclusion.
Jamie Carragher has criticized Gareth Southgate’s decision to omit Jarrad Branthwaite from his Euro 2024 squad
Branthwaite is the ‘present and future’ of England, according to the former Liverpool defender
Branthwaite, who made his England debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina, has had a stormy season at Everton
Carragher wrote of He is the present and the future of England.’
Branthwaite only made his England debut on Monday evening as a substitute against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but there has been a lot of buzz about his selection.
The 21-year-old has had such a fantastic year at stuttering Everton that the Toffees reportedly planted a £100million price tag on his shoulders in December.
He has emerged as one of Manchester United’s top defensive targets as they look to replace Raphael Varane, who has left Old Trafford after three years.
A chorus of commentators on social media agreed with Carragher’s views.
‘Dive over Branthwaite? Not sure about that,” one fan wrote on X.
“Dump on Branthwaite,” said another, with a pile of laughing emojis.
In disbelief, someone wrote: ‘They kept Dunk over Branthwaite???’
Fans couldn’t believe Southgate would leave out Branthwaite in favor of Lewis Dunk
They are shocked by the decision to include Brighton defender Dunk despite his seniority
“Wow that’s harsh of Branthwaite,” said another.
“How did Dunk survive the battle against Branthwaite,” someone asked.
With Maguire not getting the nod due to his fitness issues, Southgate had to make a big decision on who to put at the back.
The England centre-back has not played since April and was expected to miss tomorrow’s final warm-up match against Iceland.
There has been no confirmation from the FA on Maguire’s availability for the tournament, but if he is not selected it would be the first time Southgate has featured in a major tournament without the Manchester United man.
Elsewhere, Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones will also be among the players who will miss the final England squad for Euro 2024.
Jones will join Maddison, who has also been told he will not make the final cut.
The Anfield star received his first call-up when Gareth Southgate announced his provisional 33-man squad for the tournament last month.
But he will miss out on the trip to Germany, as will Tottenham midfielder Maddison, who was widely seen as one of the players at risk of missing out after 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 likely have been a starter – is missing due to a calf injury
James Trafford and Jarrad Branthwaite will also be confirmed as omissions
It is understood Maddison was lined up to play in the final warm-up match against Iceland on Friday, but that will no longer be the case with Jarrod Bowen pushing to take his place in the team. Sources indicate that Maddison’s decision to leave the squad on Wednesday is linked to Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the latest celebration.
Branthwaite and Trafford are also expected to be named as omissions.
Writing on X after news of his ax broke today, Tottenham star Maddison said: ‘Devastated isn’t quite enough. I trained well and worked hard all week, but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when I returned from injury in the second half of the season was probably not at the level I set, leaving Gareth with a decision to make to take.
‘I still thought there would be a place for me in a 26-man squad as I feel I bring something different and have been a mainstay throughout this whole Euro 2024 qualifying season in Germany, but the manager has decision has been made and I must respect this. That.
‘I’ll be back, I have no doubt about that. I wish the guys all the luck in the world in Germany, an incredible group and guys who I literally call some of my best friends.
“I really hope football comes home.”
Maguire later posted: ‘I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the European Championships this summer.
‘Despite my best efforts, I was unable to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard to try. Just, I’m absolutely gutted.
Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah miss the cut after receiving their first call-up to the England senior team
Southgate has dropped a number of big 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 win it guys.
‘I will then return under the supervision of the Manchester United medical team to prepare for next season.’
Southgate will speak tonight at 6pm ahead of tomorrow night’s final warm-up match against Iceland.