Gareth Southgate described it as “one of the most difficult parts of his job.”
And it has left England with what even Southgate described as a “very different” looking squad with major question marks over experience, goals and a new-look dressing room dynamic. There was no repeat of La Manga in 1998 when Paul Gascoigne wrecked Glenn Hoddle’s hotel room after being cut from the World Cup squad.
But the calls on Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire were arguably more heart-rending because they are such big characters and have been such a big part of his reign as England manager. Southgate has stuck with Maguire through thick and thin while Grealish is as bright and entertaining on the pitch as he is off it. James Maddison is another big personality even if he is hardly an England regular.
But what is really striking about Southgate’s selection is that this represents a revolution because 13 players have been cut from the World Cup squad in Qatar just 18 months ago. England had a total of 820 caps in that squad while the squad going to Germany this summer has a total of 634.
The defence has Kyle Walker, John Stones, Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier - with 231 caps between them - but the rest is made up of Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa who have only got 33 between them. Only two players ( Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka ) in England’s 26-man squad have more than four international goals.
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Incredibly, Crystal Palace have the most players in the squad of any team with four. Dean Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Marc Guehi. It would be fair to say Southgate - whose contract expires in December - will be going out swinging if this proves to be his final tournament as England manager.
Southgate even admitted marking from set pieces will be a challenge. “We are going to be different,” said Southgate. “There’s no doubt that the senior boys who have gone today are big characters but we still have big characters and we have guys who are going to emerge in the coming weeks. We’ll be different, we’ll have to find different strategies, different ways of working.
Gareth Southgate is now without his trusted custodian Harry Maguire (Getty Images)How far will England go in the Euros? Share your predictions in the comments below
“Harry Maguire’s consistently been one of our main first contact from set-plays but we have got other options within that, but we have got other opportunities to be creative in our set-plays as well. But some smaller players can cope really well and mark really well. You saw Kobbie Mainoo doing a pretty good job from corners for Manchester United in the FA Cup final for example.
“It isn’t just about height, you can have tall guys that don’t mark well, so there’s a lot involved in that, but clearly there’s a big presence that’s going to be missing. But we had a lot of new players in Russia. They formed a bond quickly. We’ve got that balanced by some stalwarts in the group, some young players that have got a lot of caps and tournament experience already – so, Saka, Bellingham, Rice, Foden those types.
"So there is a good balance. There is going to be an energy. But the group will have to form a little bit and that’s part of my role, to push that and encourage that and make sure that’s on the right track as well.”
Gareth Southgate chose to cut Jack Grealisj from his England squad (Getty Images)Defence has to be the biggest worry because of a lack of experience in the back-up players. But Southgate insists Guehi can step up as he is favourite to replace Maguire.
“I think all the centre backs in the squad are ready,” said Southgate. “They’ve all had experience with us. Marc is the one that’s had more opportunities with us.
“We’ve seen what he can bring for a while. Look, we’ll be different. We’ll miss Harry’s aerial presence there’s no doubt about that but there’s more speed in those guys so everybody has different attributes.”
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Southgate did admit the dynamic around the squad is the biggest key - and has no fears, having reached a quarter final, semi final and final in his three previous tournaments. He was also energized by Foden who he says has been exceptional in training.
Southgate added: “The group have got to work together. They’ve got to realise that when we pick teams, the 15 who are disappointed will be key each match to us doing well because a lot of them are going to come into the game.
“The atmosphere around the hotel, the way we are around the training ground, these are the key things that are a success in tournaments.”
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