Southgate upset the fans again with his nomination. He called up players who don’t play for their clubs

Gareth Southgate in the spotlight again. After the announcement of the England national team’s nomination, the Albion coach is being criticised for re-calling players who do not play on the club scene.

Although Euro qualification is usually a given for European footballing powers, England will have a tough time this time around. It travels to Italy for the opener, then challenges Ukraine at home. To progress, they need to finish in second place.

With no stoppers in the line-up

Traditionally, the list of stoppers is controversial. Alongside youngster Marco Guehi and stalwart John Stones, it again includes Harry Maguire and Eric Dier. The Manchester United defender is not playing at all and Dier is far from representative form at Tottenham.

Yet the call-up of Fikayo Tomori, who has excelled in Serie A and the Champions League with AC Milan, was offered. Arsenal’s versatile Ben White has also been waiting for a proper chance for a long time. Neither got an invite, Southgate has bet on proven horses.

But the fans don’t like that. “What happened to Southgate? He said he was going to nominate players who play for their clubs,” wrote a Navajo fan on the England national team’s Facebook page and Jamie agreed with him “So many players who don’t play for their club…”

Young midfield under the blanket

And Jamie’s words are aimed at the midfield too, as four of the six nominated midfielders do not play regularly for their clubs. Specifically, the experienced Jordan Henderson and youngsters Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips.

The last mentioned one doesn’t play at Manchester City at all and Pep Guardiola complained about his overweight. Even the more offensive-minded Gallagher is picking up minutes very slowly under Graham Potter at Chelsea.

Only Jude Bellingham was a fan of Chris in the nomination. “Shocking midfield. Phillips and Gallagher don’t play, Henderson, as has been proven this year, is past his best, Mount doesn’t shine and Rice isn’t even the best player in an average West Ham side.”

And there is some truth in that, as Mount is not getting as many chances in the starting line-up after Chelsea’s massive winter strengthening, and Henderson, while starting, is certainly not excelling. From Declan Rice’s point of view, West Ham’s positioning speaks volumes, plus from an individual point of view he went down a lot in performance after the Qatar Championship.

Despite all the disapproval from the fans, it is very likely that a few out of form players will even be part of the starting line up. Specifically Maguire and Rico in defence and Mount and Henderson in midfield.

Source: Twitter