The Football Complainer Returns

So, the England World Cup squad has finally been announced, and I’m not too disappointed to be fair. Southgate chose 19 of the players I would have taken (with one extra on standby), and in all fairness, I can see logic in all four of the differences. Also, two of the players who I considered my bigger calls, in Nick Pope and Danny Welbeck, have made the plane, and Joe Hart has paid the price for bad form over the last few years. But following on from last week, here’s TFC’s views on the players from my squad who missed and who has replaced them. MISSED OUT: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) I thought this one was likely to happen, and I’m only slightly disappointed Bertrand isn’t being utilised. While he has played well in a poor Soton side this season, a dismal season has ultimately put paid to any chance to his WC dream. At 28 he might still be playing in 2022, but hopefully by then Luke Shaw will have got his career back on track. GS has admitted leaving Bertrand was a diffic...

MY ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD So, after four years away, The Football Complainer is back! It was longer than planned, but after recent events in my life, I decided to do more things with my life, and returning to complaining about football is one of them- Well, I never stopped, I just didn't do it in this medium! To mark my return, here is who I would name in the England squad for the World Cup. No doubt everyone will disagree but oh well. GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford (Everton) My first choice keeper is Pickford, who has looked strong in recent friendlies, and has impressed playing for clubs with struggling defences. For me, the best English keeper right now, he has to take the Number 1 shirt. GOALKEEPER: Jack Butland (Stoke City) I’ve been a long time admirer of Butland, who finally looks like he’s over the injury problems that caused him to miss Euro 2016. Apart from that howling error against Leicester recently, he has impressed in a struggling Stoke side and...