Gareth Southgate has made his boldest call yet, dropping Marcus Rashford from England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad—opting instead for in-form youngsters Cole Palmer (Chelsea) and Anthony Gordon (Newcastle). The decision has sparked fierce debate among fans and pundits.

Why Rashford Was Dropped

• Poor Club Form: Just 7 Premier League goals in 2023/24 (his worst season since 2016).
• Competition Explosion: Palmer (22 goals, 11 assists) and Gordon (11 goals, 10 assists) outperformed him.
• Off-Field Struggles: Southgate hinted at “focus issues” after Rashford’s nightclub visit post-Man Utd loss.

The New Faces: Palmer & Gordon

• Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
• Stats: 22 goals, 11 assists – PL Young Player of the Season.
• Role: Versatile (RW/CAM/False 9) with ice-cool penalty record.
• Southgate’s View: “He’s fearless in big moments.”
• Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
• Stats: 11 goals, 10 assists – Most improved winger in the PL.
• X-Factor: Direct dribbling, relentless work rate.
• Southgate’s View: “His energy changes games.”

Reactions : Praise and Outrage

• “Finally! Reward for form, not reputation.” – @ThreeLionsFaithful
• “Rashford’s big-game experience is vital!” – @MUFC_Opinion
• “Southgate’s gambling—but Palmer & Gordon deserve it.” – @TheFootballTalk

England’s New Attack Options

Player	Goals (23/24)	Assists	Key Strength
Cole Palmer	22	11	Creativity, penalties
Anthony Gordon	11	10	Pressing, 1v1 skill
Bukayo Saka	16	9	Dribbling, crossing
Jude Bellingham	19(Real Madrid)	6	Box-to-box dominance

What This Means For Euro 2025

• Tactical Shift: Less reliance on Rashford’s counters, more technical control.
• Risk: Palmer/Gordon are untested in major tournaments.
• Fan Pressure: If England flop, Southgate’s legacy is on the line.

What’s Next

• Final Squad Deadline: June 7 – will Southgate U-turn?
• Rashford’s Future: PSG rumors intensify after snub.

Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, have identified Victor Osimhen (Napoli’s prolific striker) as their top summer 2024 target, with negotiations advancing for a £100m+ deal.

 Why Osimhen?

• Goal Machine: Scored 26 goals in 32 games for Napoli in 2023/24, leading them to Serie A’s top 4.
• Physical Dominance: Combines pace, strength, and aerial ability – perfect for the Premier League.
• Chelsea’s Striker Crisis: The Blues scored just 65 league goals last season (Jackson/Palmer overworked).

Deal Breakdown

• Release Clause: €120m (£102m) – must be paid in full (no installments).
• Napoli’s Stance: President Aurelio De Laurentiis is a tough negotiator but must sell to fund rebuilds.
• Competition: PSG lurking if Mbappé leaves, but Osimhen prefers Premier League.

Key Quotes

• “Osimhen is Chelsea’s priority. They’ll pay the clause but want longer payment terms.” – Fabrizio Romano (Transfer Guru).
• “He’s the complete striker – exactly what Chelsea need.” – John Terry (Chelsea Legend).

What This Means for Chelsea

1.  1. Instant Upgrade: A proven No. 9 to convert chances.
   2. Tactical Flexibility: Allows Palmer/Nkunku to play freely.
   3. Financial Risk: Would take Chelsea’s 2024 spending over £1bn since Boehly takeover.

Next Steps

• Medical Scheduled: Late June if terms agreed.
• Player Terms: Osimhen wants £250k/week wages + signing bonus.