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Gareth Southgate has been mocked for his Loro Piana sweater in his recent shoot for GQ magazine, but there has been nothing beige about his squad selections this summer.
First, he made headlines by leaving out Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford from his initial 33-man group, handing call-ups to a quintet of uncapped players.
Then on Thursday, Southgate named his final 26. One of those uncapped players, Adam Wharton, made it — but the omissions of Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire sent shockwaves through a section of the England squad.
To understand why, one must understand the culture of the England camp. Southgate has fostered a club mentality, a sense of togetherness and team spirit. Part of that has been a consistency of selection. The core of the group has largely remained the same since Euro 2020. To be without Henderson, Rashford, Grealish, and Maguire makes for a seismic change.
For some players, the England get-togethers are not only about the honor of playing for their country. They represent a break from the stress and acrimony of club football, and an opportunity to connect with friends.
It extends beyond the players. Partners and families travel together to tournaments and socialize. There is a wider extended network who will feel the absence of familiar faces.
But Southgate can have no room for sentiment. He has already demonstrated that with the ruthless omission of Henderson — once one of his most trusted lieutenants — from his initial 33. England aren’t going to Germany for a good time: they’re going there to win.
Southgate intended to select Maguire but said the center-back’s recovery from a calf injury has been “complicated”.
The decision to leave Grealish behind was, for some in the England camp, more shocking. Certain players were upset, others angry and disappointed. Some close to the squad — who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships — pondered whether cutting out Grealish altogether makes things simpler during the tournament, as Southgate does not have to handle public clamor for his selection or risk the TV cameras watching Grealish’s every move on the bench.
Grealish’s omission was unexpected (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
England Euro 2024 squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Additional reporting: David Ornstein, Rob Tanner, Patrick Boyland, and James Pearce
(Top photo: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)