MY ACCOUNT
Marcus Rashford has been left out of the England squad following his poor form for Manchester United.
Old Trafford team-mate Jadon Sancho also misses out despite improved displays recently but Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is handed a first senior call-up by Gareth Southgate.
The 20-year-old centre-back has been one of the mainstays of Patrick Vieira’s Palace side this term following his £18million move from Chelsea.
There is a return to the squad for the first time since Euro 2020 for Arsenal’s Ben White, however England regular Kyle Walker is not part of the 25-man group.
Palace loanee Conor Gallagher keeps his spot among the midfielders as Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse is also recalled.
The Three Lions face Switzerland on March 26 and Ivory Coast on March 29 with both friendlies being held at Wembley.
Rashford axed
Southgate did not sugar-coat Rashford’s absence from the squad, saying: “It is a difficult time for him, he’s clearly not at his best, but there is plenty of time.
“He is in the same position as everyone else, whether they are in the squad or not.
“They’ve all got to play well towards the end of this season and in particular at the beginning of next season. We know what Marcus can bring and hopefully he can rediscover the form he’s capable of.”
It is the first time since 2016 that Rashford has not been selected due to anything other than injury or a lack of fitness.
That came when he was aged just 18 and Sam Allardyce opted not to name the United academy graduate in his one and only England squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
Ever since then, Rashford has been a regular under Southgate and one of the leading lights of a youthful side.
But the 24-year-old has struggled to get into Ralf Rangnick’s team in recent weeks and only has two league goals since October.
Sancho absent again
While Rashford’s omission was expected, Sancho looked a good bet to return to the squad after improving for United under Rangnick.
Discussing his decision to leave out the 21-year-old winger, Southgate explained: “The other attacking players in the squad are slightly ahead of him at the moment — Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Phil Foden.
“Jadon’s performances have improved at Manchester United, but it is an area where we have big competition for places.”
Defensive choices
Southgate was full of praise for Guehi after he graduated from the Under-21s set-up to the senior side for the first time.
Guehi has played 28 times in the Premier League for the Eagles this term, captaining them twice in recent weeks.
Southgate said: “He’s had a really consistent season. He’s really impressed on and off the ball.
“In the biggest games he has been very calm. He’s a junior World Cup winner.
“We’ve added Marc and Ben White this time and it’s a good opportunity.”
Despite Harry Maguire’s recent poor form for the Red Devils — and the heavy criticism that has come with it — the England boss insisted he was never going to dropped.
He added: “There wasn’t a chance we weren’t going to call him up. He’s one of our best centre-backs.
“I always get criticised for being inconsistent but there are nuances. We have more competition in the wide areas.”
The England boss also confirmed Kyle Walker’s absence will only be temporary, to give him a chance to look closely at fellow right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James, and that he will return for the Nations League fixtures in June.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
