If you thought Gareth Southgate was spoiled for choice, then just check out the options available to another manager who may just be aiming for European Championship glory on German soil.
On the same day that Southgate confirmed that there will be no Jordan Henderson or Marcus Rashford in his England squad – two out-of-sorts Three Lions veterans left out in a roster picked seemingly with current form in mind – one of Manchester City’s Premier League champions discovered that he too will be watching the tournament unfold from the comfort of his own sofa.
Southgate’s reason for leaving Rashford out of the preliminary 33, he said, was a rather ‘simple’ one. There are players playing better than him right now. See Ebere Eze and Anthony Gordon, sparkling for Crystal Palace and Newcastle United throughout much of 2023/24.
Matheus Nunes, in contrast, is a victim of his lack of minutes. Man City’s £53 million signing started a grand total of seven league games in a testing debut season at the Etihad Stadium, and Portugal boss Roberto Martinez found it difficult to justify his inclusion ahead of PSG playmaker Vitinha and Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves, plus even the Saudi-based duo Ruben Neves and Otavio.
Manchester City ace left out of Portugal Euro 2024 squad
“We can talk about competition, about levels,” Martinez tells O Jogo. “The important thing is what the player can bring individually to the team. Ruben Neves had an important period during qualifying.
“Here, we are representing the work of almost 18 months. Ruben Neves and Otavio in that period, as well as Matheus Nunes, showed what they can bring to the Selecao. The level of competition is not a problem, it’s more a question of the number of minutes, games (played), form and role in the team.
“For us, Otavio and Ruben are at an important level for our dressing room.”
There is a place, however, for a number of Nunes’ former Wolverhampton Wanderers team-mates. Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo and the £60 million-rated Pedro Neto are in, the latter included despite his recent hamstring issues.
By Martinez’s own admission, though, Wolves defender Toti Gomes is unfortunate not to have a place of his own. The former Everton boss chose five centre-halves in Antonio Silva, Danilo Pereira, Goncalo Inacio, Pepe and Ruben Dias.
Toti, he says, comes in at sixth, suggesting that the Molineux man will be the first reserve in case of a pre-tournament injury.
Mixed news for Wolves stars
“Toti is a player with a clear profile; a physically very strong central defender, with a left foot. He was unlucky because the number of central defenders is five. Toti is sixth,” Martinez explains.
“I can’t be more honest. I think It’s not easy to see players like Toti, Matheus Nunes, Ricardo Horta or Andre Silva, who played a role during qualifying, and who now cannot join the team’s future.
“We have 26 players. Now, there are three or four games to end the seasons at (some) clubs, and there is a (back-up) in case there is any injury or problem.
“Until June 17th, we can change the list.”
Manchester United duo Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes were – unsurprisingly – chosen, alongside Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and a 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.