WHY AXED STARS FELL SHORT OF EURO SELECTION
BY JOHN CROSS
GARETH SOUTHGATE has made seven heartbreaking calls to axe players from his Euros squad.
Here is why they got cut:
JACK GREALISH
The big shock. The £100m Manchester City star was an unused substitute for the FA Cup final and played just 10 minutes in the whole of May since his last start at Nottingham Forest on April 28. His lack of game time and form has cost him.
HARRY MAGUIRE
He was so confident of being in but ultimately a calf injury has cost him. He suffered a setback before the FA Cup final and just could not guarantee he would be fit enough for the tournament.
JAMES MADDISON
Admitted he was “devastated” but said that his form dropped below his own standards while also confessing that he believed he could still do a better job than some in the squad as he offered “something different.”
CURTIS JONES
A shining light at under-21 level but was brought into the squad more for experience and Adam Wharton overtook him as the midfield wildcard. One for the future.
JAMES TRAFFORD
The Burnley keeper lost his place at club level at the end of the season and, despite playing under-21s, that has seen him edged out by Dean Henderson.
JARELL QUANSAH
The Liverpool defender arrived with the strong message to go and enjoy the experience of being with the training group because he has a big future.
JARRAD BRANTHWAITE
The towering Everton defender was so good last season that his omission looks a big call – especially because the defence looks so mix and match all over the place. Big call to select Lewis Dunk who has been struggling for form and fitness over him.