Gareth Southgate and his England squad embarked on their journey to Germany for Euro 2024 after a final training session at St. George’s Park. The team received a royal visit from The Prince of Wales before their departure, where they were wished good luck and presented with their squad numbers for the tournament.
Among the players travelling to Germany is Tom Heaton, who was called up by Southgate as a training goalkeeper. Despite not being a regular squad member, Heaton expressed his honor and pride in being asked to join the team for a major tournament.
For 12 players in the squad, Euro 2024 marks their first major tournament with England. On the other hand, experienced players like Kyle Walker, John Stones, and captain Harry Kane are set to participate in their fifth major tournament with the Three Lions. Some notable absences from the squad include Harry Maguire, James Maddison, and Jack Grealish. Maguire’s absence is attributed to a calf injury, while Maddison’s form has been inconsistent since returning from injury.
Southgate opted for younger alternatives in the squad, omitting players like Grealish and Marcus Rashford in favor of unlocking the potential of the younger talents. The team enters the tournament on the back of a mediocre run, with just one win in their last five games. Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Iceland at Wembley, the team faced criticism from their own fans as they missed several chances to avoid the loss.
England’s campaign in Group C kicks off against Serbia on Sunday, as they aim to make a strong start in Euro 2024.