Chris Sutton has reacted to Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite missing out on the England squad for Euro 2024.
Jarrad Branthwaite looked set to head to Germany after an impressive campaign at Goodison Park.
After news that Harry Maguire would miss out through injury, not many expected Gareth Southgate to opt for Brighton’s Lewis Dunk over Branthwaite.
England are also particularly short at left-back, with Luke Shaw facing a race to be fit for the group stages.
It makes Southgate’s decision all the more baffling when you consider the fact that Branthwaite would have been England’s only left-sided centre-back who is able to play at left-back.
A standout season for Branthwaite at Everton has even led to interest from the likes of Manchester United.
And it’s fair to say that Chris Sutton feels Southgate has got this decision completely wrong.
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Sutton says Branthwaite’s England snub is ‘wrong’
Despite only earning his first cap for England earlier this week, Branthwaite looked set to be named in Southgate’s squad.
The 21-year-old came on for the final 30 minutes in the 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night.
Southgate named his official squad for the Euros on Friday and opted for the likes of Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez over the Everton youngster. And Sutton feels Branthwaite should have been named in the final 26-man squad.
“The one where I really feel Gareth has got wrong is Branthwaite based on this season’s performances for Everton,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
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What Southgate said about Branthwaite after England squad announcement
The decision to snub Branthwaite certainly hasn’t gone down well with Everton supporters, as well as a fair amount of England fans.
In his press conference after announcing the England squad, Southgate explained his decision to leave Branthwaite out.
“I think it is a bit early for Jarrad. He has had a fabulous season and it was good to get him on the other night,” the Three Lions boss said.
“Of course, in an ideal world, you would like lots of left-footers. But, to put him ahead of the others, I don’t think that would have been the right call at this stage.
“That is why we have taken what I think is a risk at left-back with Luke [Shaw], but I think that is a risk worth taking.”