World Cup Squad Differences: My Views

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 difficult choice, but ultimately the gaffer has decided there are others ahead in the pecking order, who (surprise, surprise) all play for Top 6 clubs. Does this mean Bertrand has to move if he wants his England place back?

GOING TO RUSSIA: Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur)

He’s hardly played all season, but I’m not going to grudge Danny Rose getting a place. He probably is the best left back option England has, and if his injuries flair up, it’s good we have both Young and Delph who can cover (I like versatile players). As he is going, Rose will probably be first choice in the LWB department, and maybe the lack of playing time will work to an advantage- Former boss Sven has stated this week that he reckons certain players will be fatigued at the World Cup due to our lack of Winter break, so maybe Rose will be sharp and ready for Russia, if he’s match-fit of course (people are always going to complain either way).

MISSED OUT: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

This is the one I disagree with most. GS has recently claimed he’d made the decision to leave Smalling out back in November, and feels recent defensive performances have been good enough to justify his view. This maybe true, but I feel Smalling would offer something different to our other CBs. Other problems Southgate are his supposed un-ableness to play in a back three (pretty sure he’s done it often enough for United), and him being unable to play the ball out of defence. In a back three, is this really a problem? Surely he could be used as a no-nonsense centre half who snuffs out the attack and distributes the ball to his other CBs such as Stones and Maguire, who would then play out from the back as wanted. Just something for Southgate to think about, but it looks like Smalling should start looking for activities to do during the international break for the foreseeable future.

GOING TO RUSSIA: Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

OK, Cahill brings experience to what is a young squad, but in all honesty, couldn’t Smalling have done that. Yes, Cahill has more caps (58) than Smalling (31), but the Chelsea captain has been in-and-out of the starting XI this season and hasn’t been great when called upon. I’d also be worried about his rather poor showings at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, and some argue he’s isn’t cut out for the international stage. On the other hand, he has just lifted the FA Cup as captain of Chelsea, so will hopefully be on a bit of a boost from that. Cahill was also instrumental in Chelsea’s back three during the 16-17 campaign, so may well be in the squad due to knowing the system, unlike Smalling. Either way, don’t be surprised if this is his last involvement in international football, as at 32, I can see Southgate looking to the new generation regardless on the World Cup performance.

MISSED OUT: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Not really surprised, I said only take him if he’s 100% fit, which he clearly isn’t. A good call from Southgate, and as there are quite a few good, but not great, young English centre midfielders right now who can take Wilshere’s (and Ross Barkley’s, who I would have named in the first place if he wasn’t committing career suicide right now) place. He clearly has talent, but has only shown this in flashing glimpses throughout his career, and as I’ve said about him all along, DOESN’T SCORE ENOUGH GOALS for a player considered to be an “attacking” midfielder. He just about still has time to make another WC squad, but with his contract about to expire at Arsenal, you fear it’s now or never for Wilshere to deliver.

GOING TO RUSSIA: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace, on loan from Chelsea)

As soon as the rumours started on Tuesday night that Wilshere had been axed, the first words I said were “Loftus-Cheek”. I’d never really been sure about him, and probably hadn’t seen enough of him to make a fair opinion, but his form on loan at Palace has been brilliant and a notable example of how the loan system should be used. His coaches and pundits can’t seem to agree where his best position is, Roy Hodgson played him out wide, while Antonio Conte thinks he could be a striker, while pundits such as Glenn Hoddle and Ruud Gullit both think he should be in the middle, similar to Michael Ballack. Personally, I see him closer to a Mousa Dembele like role at Spurs, as a player who can control the midfield and pull the strings, allowing more freedom for Dele Alli. It will be interesting to see where he is next season, as I feel he’s a much better option than other Chelsea midfielders, but he might have to move to keep up his progress.

MISSED OUT: Adam Lallana (Liverpool)

OK, Lallana is on the standby list after a season ruined by injuries, so while understandable, I’m a little disappointed about this one. As a player who can play across the midfield, or even as an emergency striker, he brings something different to the table, and one of the few players to escape Euro 2016 with any credit. A consistent and experienced player who had battled through the leagues at Southampton before being one of the many to move to Merseyside, he’d have been a relatively experienced head for the younger players to look up to.

GOING TO RUSSIA: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

I seriously considered picking AA for the squad ahead of Kieran Trippier, but decided his uncapped status went against him and he’d be one for the future. But Southgate obviously thinks he’s ready, and after a great season with Liverpool, I don’t think anyone will grumble too much about him. I’m sure GS will give him a chance in one of the upcoming friendlies, and he may well have a chance of a starting spot if Kyle Walker is picked in the back 3. My main gripe about this selection is do we really need so many wing-backs? OK, I know most of them, AA included, can be utilised elsewhere, but I think we are a little defence heavy and would rather another attacking player got a chance. I think AA deserves a spot, but a player similar to Lallana would have been a better option.