Jordan Henderson will miss England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024, with his former Liverpool teammate Curtis Jones taking his place.
The 32-year-old has been a regular inclusion in the England set-up for over a decade, although questions will now be raised over his future with the Three Lions as Gareth Southgate appears to be looking for alternative options.
It comes after Henderson’s controversial move to Al-Ettifaq last summer, in a move that lasted just five months, before the former Liverpool captain moved to Ajax in January.
The move to the Dutch giants was seen as boosting his hopes of making the Euro 2024 squad, however it appears he will be left out of the expanded squad to be announced this afternoon.
His former Liverpool team-mate Curtis Jones will benefit from Henderson’s exclusion as the midfielder looks set to win his first cap.
Jordan Henderson has reportedly been left out of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
Henderson has been a regular throughout Gareth Southgate’s reign as Three Lions manager.
Henderson’s former teammate Curtis Jones (centre) will be included in a senior England squad for the first time.
Jarell Quansah is another Liverpool star who will be included in the squad for the first time.
Jones was in contention to make the final squad in March before getting injured and, despite struggling to make regular starts since then, is ready to be included.
Jarell Quansah will also make the cut for the first time after an impressive season at Anfield, in which he recently started ahead of Ibrahima Konate.
England are suffering an injury crisis in defense, and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill will be included despite not featuring for his club in the final months of the season due to injury.
Southgate’s biggest problem is the left-back position, with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell struggling for fitness this season.
Luke Shaw, who has struggled all season for fitness at Manchester United, will be included despite not playing since the Red Devils faced Luton on February 18.
He guardian have reported that Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell is expected to be omitted.
Crystal Palace quartet Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson are also understood to have been part of the 30-man-plus squad following the Eagles’ excellent end to the Premier League season.
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford will also be part of Southgate’s England squad, which will be reduced to 26 players before the tournament begins in Germany .
Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton are among four Crystal Palace stars to be included
Chelsea’s Levi Colwill is also set to be part of the squad despite having been out of action recently.
Luke Shaw will be included despite not playing for Manchester United since February 18
Ben Chilwell to miss out despite England’s current left-back crisis
Raheem Sterling is expected to miss, although this is not considered a surprise given he has been out of competition since the World Cup in Qatar.
However, the exclusion of Henderson, who debuted for the senior team in England in 2010 and has been called up for the last six major tournaments, is a big surprise.
His place in the team has been almost a guarantee throughout Southgate’s reign as England manager.
However, fans questioned whether he deserved his place in the team when he moved to the Saudi Pro League, due to the caliber of opponents he played during his brief stay in the country.
Henderson played only 12 times for Ajax due to a muscle injury, although he participated in the Dutch team’s final games of the season.
Southgate visited Holland to watch Henderson make his Ajax debut in February.
“It was very nice for Gareth to come and see my debut for Ajax,” Henderson said. ‘It was good for him to come and observe that he is keeping an eye on me.
Henderson was booed by England fans after his move to Saudi Arabia when they played Australia in October.
Southgate was present for Henderson’s Ajax debut and included him in his squad in March.
“It is always a privilege for me to play for my country and I want to do it for as long as possible.
“I definitely feel like I can offer something to the national team. I have to play and do my job here, that’s my main goal. But of course I feel like I can help the team and the team in the next camp and hopefully in summer”.
The veteran kept his place in the team for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium last March.
After moving to Saudi Arabia, he was booed by English fans when they played in Australia in October, prompting Southgate to come to his defense at the time.
Southgate will reduce his squad from over 30 men to 26 ahead of this summer’s tournament
In light of Henderson’s boo, Southgate was asked if he considers outside influences when choosing his team.
He responded by saying, “We will evaluate Jordan like any other player.” But if I simply select in a popularity contest, then our team would look very, very different.
“I will always choose the players who I think are the best to represent the team, the ones who give us the best chance to win, unless there is something I feel is not appropriate.”
