There was a strong reaction after several celebrities were left out of England’s World Cup squad.
Four players have withdrawn from England’s World Cup squad, leaving camp at home in Kansas City (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Four players from England’s squad have left the World Cup as the dust settles following manager Thomas Tuchel’s controversial selection of his squad. Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngmoha and Josh King, who were not included in the 26-man squad, left the United States after completing pre-tournament friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Of the four, Bournemouth’s Scott was the only real candidate to make the final selection, and he was on standby in case his fellow midfielder suffered a late injury. Nevertheless, his non-participation was not considered controversial and there was apparently no reaction to this group returning home.
However, the same could not be said for other experienced players who were despised by the Germans. Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were all ignored.
Manchester United’s Maguire, a three-time Grand Slam champion, hit out hard on social media at his absence. He wrote: “After the season so far, I was confident that I could play a big role for my country this summer.
“I am shocked and devastated by this decision. Over the years I have loved nothing more than wearing that shirt and representing my country. I wish the players all the best this summer.”
Sign up now for the Make Football Great Again newsletter and get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox!
Mr Maguire’s family also rushed in, with his wife Fern writing: “So devastated for you. There was nothing else you could have done to prove your worth. I don’t need you to tell me how much you are admired. I’m sorry you disagreed with just one opinion.”
Her mother Zoe, on the other hand, was furious: “It’s disgusting. I couldn’t have done any more. Hold your head up… It’s a disgrace.”
The lack of creative talent like Foden and Palmer, along with the addition of Jordan Henderson, 35, has not gone well in some areas.
Harry Maguire hasn’t taken the World Cup snub well (Image: (Photo by Alex Davidson – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
Pundit Micah Richards said: “I don’t agree with him about the team he picked because he would have at least had Phil Foden or Cole Palmer in there. There are moments in the tournament when you need magic.”
“As we know, Maguire is proven and trusted. Trent and I probably would have accepted the same. The difference is he probably wants a player who won’t quit.”
“If you look at the team he has chosen, is Henderson expected to start? Probably not. (Dan) Byrne, (Jed) Spence, (Tino) Livramento and even (Ivan) Toney. They are second fiddle and happy to know their role in the team. So I can understand why he did it. I don’t necessarily agree with that.”
Former England defender John Terry was also not satisfied with the final squad. He believes Maguire and Shaw should have agreed, telling Piers Morgan Uncensored: “Harry Maguire is one of them. He’s a better player for me than Dan Byrne and if the other two get injured, whether it’s John Stones coming in or not, I’d much rather Harry Maguire be there and be the player coming in.
Phil Foden also missed the cut (Image: Getty Images)
“I think he’s always going to be a big threat on set-pieces late on. I know Dan Byrne also brings that threat at left-back when he can play at left-back, but I would put Harry Maguire there every day. Luke Shaw is also one of those left-backs. We’re looking at Nico O’Reilly to play there.”
“I think for someone like him you need someone like Luke Shaw to help him, calm him down and give him a bit of advice because he is our future at the next World Cup.”
Regardless of the controversy over Tuchel’s selection for England, four young players have left the Kansas-based camp, cementing the structure of the Three Lions’ World Cup squad.
England’s official World Cup squad: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford. Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Mark Guehi, Tino Livramento, Dan Byrne, Jarrell Quansah, Jed Spence, Reece James. Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Koby Mainu. Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rodgers, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
