Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has expressed serious concerns regarding England’s preparations for Euro 2024, particularly focusing on the lack of “tournament know-how” in the team’s attacking lineup. Scholes believes that manager Gareth Southgate may have made a significant error by excluding Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford from the final squad.
Initially, Jack Grealish was included in Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad. However, due to inconsistent form and fitness issues throughout the last season, Grealish did not make the cut for the final 26-man roster. Despite his setbacks, Grealish’s creativity and experience could have provided England with a crucial edge in the high-stakes environment of an international tournament.
Marcus Rashford, another notable absentee, also faced a challenging season with Manchester United. Rashford managed to score only eight goals across all competitions, which led to his exclusion from the national team. Scholes argues that Rashford’s past performances and experience in major tournaments could have been invaluable assets for the squad.
Taking to Instagram to share his thoughts, Scholes articulated his apprehensions:
“Trying to make my mind up about this England squad. Love him or hate him, we will miss the experience of [Harry] Maguire defensively,” Scholes stated. “Left-back is a big problem, and there is a major lack of experience in midfield. However, [Declan] Rice is good enough to bring it all together.”
Scholes further elaborated on his concerns regarding England’s forward line: “I’m worried about the forward line. Obviously, I love [Phil] Foden, [Harry] Kane, and [Bukayo] Saka, but I honestly think not having the major tournament know-how of Rashford and Grealish as backups (been there and done it) is a big mistake.”
This critique from Scholes highlights a broader issue regarding England’s current squad composition. The decision to leave out seasoned players like Grealish and Rashford might leave the team vulnerable, especially in high-pressure situations where experience can make a significant difference.
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Gareth Southgate has been known for his strategic decisions and has often been praised for fostering young talent and building a cohesive unit. However, Scholes’s comments reflect a concern shared by many fans and pundits: the potential lack of depth and experience, particularly in key positions, might undermine England’s chances at Euro 2024.
As the tournament approaches, the pressure is on Southgate and his chosen squad to prove that the right decisions were made. The inclusion of younger, less experienced players might inject fresh energy into the team, but the absence of battle-hardened veterans like Grealish and Rashford could be a double-edged sword.
The coming weeks will be crucial as England prepares for the tournament. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Southgate’s decisions play out on the pitch. Will the youthful exuberance of the selected players be enough to carry England through, or will the lack of experienced heads in the squad become a glaring issue? Only time will tell.
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