Gareth Southgate's Candid Take: Embracing LGBTQ+ Criticism & Purposeful Selections Behind Jordan Henderson's Inclusion
Gareth Southgate's England squad includes Eddie Nketiah, Jordan Henderson, and Harry Maguire, but Raheem Sterling is left out England faces Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on September 9 and Scotland in a friendly on September 12 Southgate also discusses Spain Women's focus and Sterling's discontent
Gareth Southgate acknowledges the criticism from the LGBT+ community regarding his inclusion of Al Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson into the England squad.
The journey towards the upcoming European Championship progresses for the national team, with a qualifier against Ukraine in Poland scheduled for September 9, followed by a friendly match in Scotland three days afterwards.
Henderson, who used to openly support the LGBTQ+ community, has received backlash for choosing to depart from Liverpool to play in the Saudi Pro League during the summer, despite the country's insufficient LGBTQ+ rights.
Southgate stated: "We wholeheartedly support the community; a significant portion of our team and staff have personal connections with individuals from that community."
"We have made efforts to provide support, although we recognize that some members of the community may have felt disappointed. Each individual has the freedom to live their life according to their own beliefs, and I can only share my personal perspective and the values that our team embraces. We strive to be inclusive of all cultures and to empathize with individuals in various circumstances.
"We acknowledge that there may be a perception that we haven't done enough, and we are willing to accept this viewpoint. However, I want to emphasize that any shortcomings are unintentional. We are faced with intricate situations, and we are doing our utmost to navigate them successfully."
Southgate suggested that it might be challenging for Henderson to secure a long-term position in the England squad due to the contrasting requirements of his new league, but he emphasized that the team selection would primarily be based on football considerations. He stated, "We have closely observed every match, and going forward, the critical aspect will be the league's physical intensity, along with the heat, and whether Henderson can maintain the necessary level of performance."
The league's level is constantly evolving, a challenge faced by many countries. Portugal, having several players in the league, will likely continue to participate in international football.
We need to evaluate his position within our squad, considering the competition from other players. This evaluation becomes more complex when one is not playing in Champions League or Premier League matches.
Southgate: Spain Women have had focus taken off World Cup win
Making the decision on selecting players for the England squad is far from simple, as I have already conversed with a few other members of the team. There is often significant discussion surrounding the presence of numerous full-backs within the squad.
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Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has come under fire for not resigning following the incident where he kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after their 1-0 World Cup final victory against England eight days ago.
The regional presidents of the Spanish Football Association have urged Rubiales to step down immediately, however, he has thus far declined.
Southgate expressed, "As a male in a leadership role, it is crucial to recognize the immense responsibility one holds in terms of one's conduct, particularly when interacting with females."
Southgate: Sterling not happy over absence
Thoughts on the Spanish team match my own admiration for their remarkable performance on the pitch, for which they rightly deserve immense credit. Equally deserving of praise are our girls, who showcased their brilliance throughout the tournament. Regrettably, the attention surrounding their achievements seems to be overshadowed.Former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips have been included in the squad, despite neither of them having played a single minute of club football this season.
Regarding Maguire's inclusion, Southgate stated, "Due to the absence of experienced players with caps at centre-half, we have decided to give some less experienced players the chance to join the squad. Unfortunately, it seems that Tyrone Mings will be out for the entire season, John Stones will not be joining us for this camp, and Eric Dier has not been included in the Tottenham squad."
"We need some experience in that area of the field, especially for these two games. However, Raheem Sterling, despite a promising start to the season and having scored twice in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Luton, will not be included."
The 28-year-old acknowledges Southgate's choice to exclude him from the squad and will, for the time being, concentrate on his performance at Stamford Bridge in domestic competitions.
While Southgate mentioned that Sterling could still have an opportunity to make his way back into consideration, he expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to leave him out.
"He was unavailable for the last two matches, which provided other individuals with a chance to excel and assert themselves within the team.
Making this decision was challenging, and Raheem is noticeably discontented with it. However, I firmly believe he will have a successful season at Chelsea without any reservations."
