Crystal Palace duo Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton have been named in England's squad for Euro 2024, while high-profile players Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire,
and James Maddison have been excluded.
Eze, a 25-year-old winger, has earned only three caps for the national team but impressed with his performance in Monday's 3-0 friendly victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park. Wharton, a 20-year-old midfielder, made his international debut in that same match as a substitute.
On Thursday, it was announced that Manchester City's Grealish, Manchester United's Maguire, and Tottenham's Maddison were omitted from Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad.
Other notable exclusions from the original 33-player shortlist include Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
However, Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, who has been sidelined since mid-February with a hamstring injury, has been included in the squad. England will play Iceland in a friendly at Wembley on Friday, their final match before the tournament in Germany kicks off on 14 June.
Quansah, 21, will remain with the squad for the Iceland game as a precautionary measure in case of further defensive injuries.
"Luke has progressed really well in the last couple of days, and we think he could have some involvement in the second group game," Southgate said. "You can take one gamble, and that's a calculated gamble where we have enough evidence we believe it can pay off."
Southgate's squad selections have been described as bold, with many experts believing he has made the right calls. Photo by Jrppezza, Wikimedia commons.