Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford were left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad (Picture: Getty)
Paul Scholes is ‘worried’ about the lack of ‘tournament know-how’ in England’s attack for this summer’s European Championships and fears Gareth Southgate has made a ‘big mistake’ leaving Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford at home.
Grealish was named in England’s provisional 33-man party but missed out as Southgate cut his squad down to 26 players, with the Manchester City midfielder struggling for a consistent run of form and fitness last season.
Rashford, meanwhile, capped 60 times by England, was omitted from Southgate’s plans altogether after an underwhelming campaign at Manchester United, in which the forward managed just eight goals in all competitions.
Southgate has instead opted for the likes of Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon, who have a combined total of just 19 appearances between them with the Three Lions.
Harry Kane’s understudies up front, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, are also lacking game-time on the international stage and Scholes is concerned about the lack of tournament experience in England’s attacking areas.
‘Trying to make my mind up about this England squad, love him or hate will miss the experience of [Harry] Maguire defensively,’ the iconic ex-England and Manchester United midfielder said on Instagram.
‘LB [left-back] a big problem, major lack experience in mf [midfield] but [Declan] Rice is good enough to bring all together.
‘Worried about forward line, obvs love [Phil] Foden/[Harry] Kane/[Bukayo] Saka…honestly think not having the major tournament know-how of Rashford and Grealish as back up (been there and done it) is a big mistake!!’
Scholes is ‘worried’ about England’s lack of tournament ‘know-how’ in attack (Picture: Instagram)
Southgate admitted it was a ‘tough call’ embarking on a ‘different route’ away from Grealish and Tottenham’s James Maddison, who were both initially selected before being cut from the squad.
‘We’re blessed with options in attacking areas, all offering something slightly different,’ the England head coach told reporters while explaining his final 26-man squad.
‘Madders and Jack give us something different as well, so they’re tough calls,
‘We’ve gone over it and over it as staff to try and be fair. We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. Both boys are big characters and great to work with.’
Grealish and Rashford should have been selected, according to Scholes (Picture: Getty)
Rashford’s omission appeared appeared a little more cut and dry, with Southgate opting for players who he felt had enjoyed ‘better seasons’ than the United attacker.
He explained: ‘These are of course difficult calls, you’re talking about players who are very good players and who have been an important of what we’ve done over a number of years.
‘With Marcus I just feel other players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons, it’s as simple as that.’
The Three Lions open their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday and there remain question marks over Southgate’s team selection just days out from the Group C contest.
Bukayo Saka is expected to be available after shaking off a minor injury, while John Stones missed training on Wednesday through illness and is a doubt for the clash.
Luke Shaw will not be considered for a starting place in Gelsenkirchen, with the Manchester United left-back working his way back to full fitness from a muscle problem.
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