BURTON.- Striker Marcus Rashford has been left out of England's preliminary squad for the European Championship following a disappointing season with the Manchester United.
Jordan Henderson and Reece James were also not taken into account for coach Gareth Southgate's 33-player list.
“These are difficult decisions. These are players who are very good and who have been an important part of our project,” said Southgate. “As for Marcus, I considered that there are players in his area of the field who had better seasons, it's that simple:
Rashford was by far the most prominent figure to be dropped, especially after the peak of his career two seasons ago, scoring 34 goals for club and country.
But it comes from a campaign to be forgotten. He has scored just eight goals for a United side that suffered the worst result in its history in the Premier League by finishing eighth.
Southgate will have to purge the list to 26 players on June 8. The Euro will start in Germany on June 14.
Kobbie Mainoo, Rashford's United teammate, was called up after breaking into the first team this season. Striker Cole Palmer was also included after a notable campaign with Chelsea, in which he scored 22 goals.
Midfielder Henderson, former Liverpool captain, was not called up after leaving Anfield to play for Saudi Arabia. James, a right back, had an injury-plagued season with Chelsea.
Despite his controversial decision to sign Al Ettifaq, Henderson continued to be taken into account by Southgate. He left the Saudi club after six months and joined Ajax Amsterdam, but the muscle injury he suffered at the end of the season caused Southgate to sideline him.
England roster:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw ( Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
