“I could fit so well into that team” - Premier League star admits he’s ‘frustrated’ about missing out on Euro 2024 squad after watching England play
Premier League star Rico Henry has admitted that he feels frustrated to miss out on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad. The Brentford left-back has claimed that he could have contributed for the Three Lions who have played without a natural left-side full-back.
Gareth Southgate's decision to name just one left-back in his squad in the form of an unfit Luke Shaw has come under severe scrutiny. England have quite evidently struggled because of the absence of a natural left-back with Luke Shaw featuring just once in Euro 2024 so far.
Rico Henry has highlighted that the absence of a left-footed full-back in the England side has let them down. He has admitted that he could have been useful had he been selected. The Brentford star said, as quoted by Metro:
"It’s been difficult watching England at Euro 2024 playing without an out-and-out left-back because I know I could do a job there. Luke Shaw has been struggling with an injury and we haven’t got any other left-footed full-backs in the squad. And, when I’ve watched them this summer, I just feel like I could fit so well into that team. It has been frustrating not being there but it’s also been great to watch, seeing them doing well and getting into the quarter-finals."
Rico Henry has vowed to get an opportunity to earn his first senior cap for England and make the World Cup squad in 2026. He added:
"One thing that really motivated me was looking forward to the World Cup in 2026 – there’s always a chance. I’m still so determined to get into the England team. It would be a dream come true. I played for some of the youth teams, but getting a senior cap is one of my main goals.
"That’s what everyone plays football for: to feature for your country. I know I had a chance before I got injured, but people reminding me that I can still do it really encourages me. I just need to come back, stay fit and play well."
Henry, a bombarding left-back who plies his trade for Brentford, played only five games last season. He missed the remainder of the season with a knee injury and is ready to return during Brentford’s pre-season campaign.
Rio Ferdinand hails England star for his showings in Euro 2024
Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand has hailed Bukayo Saka for his exceptional showings in Euro 2024. The Arsenal winger has been a livewire for the Three Lions in Euro 2024 playing a key role behind their run to the semi-finals. Hailing Saka for his exploits, Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel:
"The way that we played the other day (vs Switzerland), Saka is so important because he gives us that ability to get at people, he’s getting the guy one-v-one. And I said this before – what I like about him, and one of my criticisms about Saka was that he was so dominant on coming inside on his left foot whereas this game especially he was facing, and he has done it in this tournament a lot, he’s facing the full-back one-v-one and gone outside as much as he has come inside. So, it makes it unpredictable."
Ferdinand also compared the Arsenal attacker to Liverpool great Mohamed Salah and modern-day Premier League icon Riyad Mahrez. He said:
"When a winger is unpredictable like that, like (Riyad) Mahrez has been for many years, you go that is a hard, hard day’s work, that is. And if you go right up tight when the ball is rolling into him, he’s strong enough to roll you like (Mohamed) Salah does. He’s so strong, it’s a joke."
The 22-year-old has started all five games for Gareth Southgate's side in Euro 2024 and has been deployed in multiple positions. He came up with a stellar showing against Switzerland in the quarter-final scoring the late equalizer to make the game 1-1 and also converted his penalty in the shootout.