Sheffield United’s goalkeeper Ramsdale, who was initially part of Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad, returns to the squad.
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In a big blow to England, goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been forced to withdraw from their Euro 2020 squad, and Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale will take his place. The Manchester United shot-stopper is out of the tournament due to a hip injury, the Football Association announced on Tuesday. The 24-year-old had missed his second training session on Monday owing to a hip problem, and doubts were raised whether it would hamper his ability to train throughout the tournament. Henderson will now return to Manchester United for further evaluation and rehabilitation prior to the 2021/22 season.
Sheffield United goalkeeper Ramsdale was originally part of Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for the tournament, however, he did not make the cut when the squad was trimmed down to a 26-man unit. He will now take Henderson’s place once he has completed Covid-19 testing protocols. The FA said in a statement, “Aaron Ramsdale has replaced Dean Henderson in England’s UEFA EURO 2020 squad. Henderson withdraws with a hip issue that would continue to limit his involvement in training throughout the tournament.”
“Under UEFA regulations, squads are permitted to replace goalkeepers on medical grounds at any stage. The Manchester United goalkeeper will now return to his club for further assessment and rehabilitation ahead of the 2021/22 season. Ramsdale was originally a member of Gareth Southgate’s pre-tournament group in Middlesbrough having played for England at this year’s UEFA U21 EURO in Slovenia in March. The Sheffield United player, a 2017 UEFA U19 EURO winner, will now follow standard Covid-19 testing protocol before entering the camp.”
Gutted for you, @deanhenderson.
Wishing you a quick recovery ?
— England (@England) June 15, 2021
Ramsdale, who has no senior caps, will now join first-choice keeper Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone as head coach Southgate’s goalkeeper options for the duration of the Euros. Even though his team got relegated in the recently concluded season, the 23-year-old continued to be one of the brightest sparks in another wise disappointing campaign for the club. He was ever-present for Sheffield last season as he continued to do a commanding job in between the posts.
The Sheffield goalkeeper is the second addition to England’s squad. Brighton and Hove Albion center-back Ben White was earlier named in England’s Euro 2020 squad after Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold withdrew from the competition due to injury.
At that time, a Football Association statement said in a statement, “Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of UEFA Euro 2020. The Liverpool player sustained a thigh injury in the closing stages of Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Austria in Middlesbrough. A scan on Thursday confirmed the 22-year-old will be unable to play in the forthcoming tournament so has withdrawn from the England squad to return to his club for rehabilitation.”
Ramsdale was part of the 2017 Euros-winning England U19 team and has 15 caps for the U21s. He is yet to make his senior debut, though. Henderson has a little advantage in terms of experience, having earned his only senior appearance in a 45-minute outing against the Republic of Ireland in November. The Manchester United goalkeeper will surely be missed, but Southgate has found a quality replacement for him.
