Although he has not played a single minute for Man Utd this season, centre-back Harry Maguire is still highly regarded for his experience by coach Gareth Southgate and is called up to the England team for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
On August 31, Southgate announced the list of 26 England players preparing for the two Euro 2024 qualifying Group C matches against Ukraine on September 9 and Scotland on September 12. The "Three Lions" are currently leading the group with 12 absolute points, six points ahead of Ukraine.
Of the names mentioned, Maguire and Phillips have caused the most controversy. Maguire has lost his regular place under coach Erik ten Hag and has only started eight times in the Premier League in the 2022-2023 season. This season, the 30-year-old centre-back has even been stripped of the captaincy and has not played a single minute.
Maguire warms up in a Premier League match of the new season, but he has not played a single minute in the first three rounds. Photo: Reuters
Similarly, Phillips made just 12 substitute appearances in the Premier League last season and has yet to play a single minute this season. The 27-year-old midfielder has struggled to establish himself as a starter since joining Man City for $61 million in the summer of 2022, and was even dropped from the squad by coach Pep Guardiola for being overweight.
At the press conference announcing the 26-man squad, Southgate admitted that Maguire and Phillips were not in ideal conditions, but praised the experience of the duo. The 52-year-old coach said England were lacking experienced options with Tyrone Mings seriously injured, John Stones out since the start of the season, Eric Dier not appearing in the Tottenham squad, and Conor Coady also sidelined, even playing for Leicester in the Championship.
"We don't have many options with players who have played for the national team in recent years. For the next two games, it is important that England have experienced players in that area of the pitch," Southgate explained the decision to call up Maguire and Phillips.
Another controversial name is Jordan Henderson - the midfielder has moved to Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. But Southgate said he has watched Henderson play in Saudi Arabia and wants to see if the 33-year-old can play at the highest level.
Raheem Sterling - who has been in fine form for Chelsea - has been left out of the national team for the third time in a row. Southgate said Sterling had a good start to the season, but was happy with England's attack. He did not want to shake things up by dropping a player to bring Sterling back.
England's squad this time still includes key players such as Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Kyle Walker and Jude Bellingham. Southgate also gave opportunities to Eddie Nketiah - the striker who scored twice in Arsenal's opening match in the Premier League, and Levi Colwill - the central defender who is competing for a regular place at Chelsea and was a member of the England U21 team that won Euro 2023.
England squad list
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice.
Forwards: Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Callum Wilson.
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