EURO 2024: Heartbreak for Finidi George and Nigeria as Eagles midfielder makes England squad
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England has called up a player Nigeria were hoping to poach from the Three Lions |Photo Credit: Imago

EURO 2024: Heartbreak for Finidi George and Nigeria as Eagles midfielder makes England squad

Asukwo Oduo 14:11 - 21.05.2024

Gareth Southgate made some bold decisions, but he has also broken the hearts of many Nigerian football fans.

Coach Finidi George-led Super Eagles have been dealt a massive blow after England coach Gareth Southgate named Nigeria-eligible midfielder in their provisional squad. 

Southgate named Eagles midfielder Eberechi Eze in England’s provisional squad of 33 for the upcoming European Championships in Germany.

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Surprise names on the list include Liverpool’s teenager Quansah, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and Burnley’s goalkeeper James Trafford. West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Dean Henderson, and Marc Guehi also made the cut. 

However, Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Chelsea trio of Ben Chilwell, Reece James, and Raheem Sterling are some of the big names missing. 

Nigeria miss out on Eberechi Eze

Coach Finidi George would have been looking to convince Eberechi Eze to switch international allegiance from England to Nigeria. 

The Crystal Palace star was instrumental in helping the Eagles finish tenth in the league, contributing 11 goals and four assists.

However, the former Enyimba boss has been dealt a big blow with Eze’s call-up to the England squad for the EURO 2024.  

After Karim Adeyemi was left out by Germany, Michael Olise by France, and Joshua Zirkzee by the Netherlands, fans of the Super Eagles expected that Eze might also be left out by England – giving a possibility for the former QPR star to play for Nigeria.

Full England List: 

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate is expected to trim his 33-man list to 26 before the commencement of the European tournament on June 14.

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