Theo Walcott has revealed he is not surprised by Gareth Southgate’s England squad omissions for the 2024 Euros, including the choice to leave out Jack Grealish.
Grealish missed the final squad, along with Curtis Jones, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarell Quansah, James Maddison and James Trafford, as well as the injured Harry Maguire.
Walcott, who was famously named in the 2006 World Cup squad as a 17-year-old under Sven Goran Eriksson, will play in England alongside the likes of Jermain Defoe, Eddie Hearn and Stuart Broad.
“I wasn’t that surprised,” Walcott told Mail Sport. ‘I was more surprised by some of the players who weren’t in the squad initially, like Dominic Solanke; he’s had an incredible year. What does that say about players who play so well when they are not even in the first team?
‘Jack missing is because he is competing with Anthony Gordon and of the two, Gordon was a bit more fearless, attacking players and going back this season. I want to see the Jack from a year and two ago. He is a blessed footballer and the fact that he misses the selection shows that we have a lot of talent.”
Theo Walcott (left) says he is not surprised by Gareth Southgate’s decisions in the England squad
Jack Grealish’s omission was a surprise to many, but Walcott thought he would miss out
Defoe, who has scored 20 goals in 57 England caps, agreed with Walcott.
‘In those forward areas I can’t remember the last time we had so many options. Those players in the forward areas fascinate me,” he said. “It was so tough for Gareth, but this group of players really believe they can do it,” added Defoe, who currently manages the U18 team at Tottenham.
England will look to end a five-year losing streak on Sunday against a World Cup XI led by Usain Bolt, featuring the likes of Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, Mikel Essien and Tommy Fury. Last year the World XI finished 4-2 at Old Trafford in a match that raised £14.6 million for charity.
And recently retired England cricketer Stuart Broad, playing in his first Soccer Aid, believes Sunday could be the start of a summer treble for England.
‘We have to set the tone. “If we win on Sunday, England will win the T20 World Cup and then we will win the European Championship in Germany,” said Broad.
‘In those forward areas I can’t remember the last time we had so many options. Those players in the forward areas fascinate me,” he said. “It was so tough for Gareth, but this group of players really believe they can do it,” added Defoe, who currently manages the U18 team at Tottenham.
England will look to end a five-year losing streak on Sunday against a World Cup XI led by Usain Bolt, featuring the likes of Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, Mikel Essien and Tommy Fury. Last year the World XI finished 4-2 at Old Trafford in a match that raised £14.6 million for charity.
Stuart Broad believes Soccer Aid could mark the start of a summer blockbuster for England
Harry Redknapp stated that he is disappointed that Harry Maguire has not been included in the squad
And recently retired England cricketer Stuart Broad, playing in his first Soccer Aid, believes Sunday could be the start of a summer treble for England.
‘We have to set the tone. “If we win on Sunday, England will win the T20 World Cup and then we will win the European Championship in Germany,” said Broad.
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp insists he is ‘disappointed’ Maguire will not go to Euro 2024.
Speaking to Mail Sport at the Soccer Aid for UNICEF media day, Redknapp said: ‘He’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I’m a big fan of Harry Maguire. He sticks his head out in both boxes and is a great danger from set pieces. Even though he is injured, I am disappointed that he is not going. He is a character and a leader and a great loss for England.’
Redknapp will join his cousin Frank Lampard in leading an England squad full of celebrities and former footballers when they take on a World XI led by Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge in a charity match on Sunday.
And Lampard, who played for England between 1999 and 2014, said he has sympathy for Gareth Southgate after the England manager dropped James Maddison and Jack Grealish from his 26-man squad for the European Championship and admitted he believes England will leave. all the way in Germany.
Maguire, who was struggling with injury, was not included in the final 26-man England squad
Frank Lampard says he sympathizes with Southgate for making tough selection decisions
‘They’re Gareth’s calls. He has to make big decisions,” Lampard said. It’s not easy, but that’s probably the hardest part as a manager and I really think England can go all the way.”
Redknapp agreed that he ‘dreams of England’ winning the tournament given the wealth of attacking options in the squad.
‘I love Jack (Grealish) but there is real talent in the boy at Palace, Eberechi Eze. What a player he is and even Cole Palmer, what a season he has had,” said Redknapp. ‘Hopefully it’s our time to win a tournament. I’m looking forward to England. Really and truly.’
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 will take place at Stamford Bridge at 7.30pm on Sunday 9 June. The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 in England and Wales and STV in Scotland. It will also be available to stream on ITVX. More information can be found at