Declan Rice has revealed how his ‘best mates’ Jack Grealish and James Maddison reacted to being left out of England’s squad for Euro 2024.
Grealish and Maddison were two of the seven players to be dropped from England’s 33-man provisional squad ahead of the tournament, which starts next week.
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Burnley’s James Trafford and Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah both missed out in a place in the final 26-man squad.
Rice was ‘gutted’ to see two of his closest friends in the England team miss out but says Grealish and Maddison have both been ‘supportive’ and understanding.
Asked about the pair’s departure from the England camp, Rice said: ‘It’s been really tough. Madders and Jack are two of my best mates in the squad, I’ve probably spent most of my time with them since being here.
‘To see them go is not a nice feeling but they’ve both just said before leaving that they wish us all the best. They were pretty positive and upbeat.
‘Obviously they’re gutted not to be in the squad but we’re so close as a group so I don’t think anyone is feeling really bitter about being left out. Those two wished us all the best, as did the others who didn’t make it.
‘I’m obviously gutted but it’s just one of those things, managers have tough decisions to make. I’m gutted they’re gone but they’ve been really supportive of the team.’
Grealish was a key player for Southgate at the last two major tournaments but misses Euro 2024 after endured a frustrating season for Premier League champions Manchester City.
Maddison also failed to show his best form in the second-half of the season for Tottenham and says he understands his omission, while admitting he was ‘devastated’ by the news.
Having beaten Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 Monday, England face Iceland in their final Euro 2024 warm-up game on Friday before travelling to Germany.
Rice will likely be joined in midfield by either Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo or Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Asked about the duo, the Arsenal record signing said: ‘We saw in the last camp what Kobbie’s done at Man Utd all season, he fully deserves his place.
‘Adam played his first half of the season in the Championship, he’s been outstanding at Crystal Palace and he’s impressed a lot of the players in training.
‘He’s so composed and calm on the ball, he’s got a beautiful left-foot, very crisp passing, and he’s an all-round down to earth boy.
‘He’s still only 20 years old, but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him. He won’t take it for granted, he’ll be ready when called upon.
‘You saw the other night how composed he is, I think he doesn’t get phased by big things. The future is looking bright in midfield.’
England kick-start their Euros campaign on June 16 against Serbia, before facing fellow Group C rivals Denmark and Slovenia.
The Three Lions have not won a major trophy since 1966 but came close at the last two World Cups and the previous European Championships, where they reached the final before losing to Italy on penalties.
