Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney admitted that he is “really shocked” that one Champions League-winning player was not included in England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
England are through to the knockout stages of this summer’s Euros and the Three Lions will face Slovakia in the round of 16 on Sunday.
However, the Three Lions have largely unimpressed during the UEFA tournament, despite finishing two points clear of Denmark to top Group C.
England secured a 1-0 win over Serbia in their Group C opener, with Gareth Southgate’s men holding on to secure all three points.
However, the Three Lions were held to a 1-1 draw against Denmark, despite taking the lead through England captain Harry Kane.
Gareth Southgate’s side were toothless in their lacklustre performance on Tuesday night against Slovenia, with England playing out a disappointing 0-0 draw.
Rooney baffled by England decision
Wayne Rooney has been offering his two cents on Euro 2024 in Germany after he was included in BBC Sport’s punditry line-up for the competition.
The Manchester United and England legend admitted he was baffled by Gareth Southgate’s decision to not include Ben Chilwell in the Three Lions’ squad.
Ben Chilwell managed only 21 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea last season amid an injury-hit campaign with his club.
However, the 27-year-old Chelsea player is a natural left-back and would have provided important back-up cover for United and England defender Luke Shaw.
“I was very surprised and really shocked that Ben Chilwell didn’t get picked just for [the] balance of having a left-footed player there,” Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast.
“You’re talking about Ben Chilwell who’s playing at Chelsea and he’s played well for England in the past.
“Do you play Tripper or [Joe] Gomez there? Do you bring Kyle Walker across?
“There’s so many imbalances about the team. Phil Foden, should he play on the left, or right, or as a 10? There’s so many questions about that.”
Chilwell snub costly for Shaw
Southgate took the risky decision to include Shaw in his 26-man England squad, despite the United star recovering from an injury.
Shaw was absent from the second half of United’s 2023-24 campaign due to injury and has been in a race to return to full fitness for the Euros.
Ben Chilwell could have stepped up in the absence of Shaw, who is England’s only specialist left-back in the Euro 2024 squad.
Southgate’s costly decision to snub Chilwell has led to Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier playing at left-back for the three Group C matches for England.
Shaw had been on an individual training programme at the Three Lions’ camp after he linked up with his England teammates in Germany.
However, the 28-year-old has not managed a single appearance at the Euros so far and Southgate has been dealt a major blow down the left side of England’s flank.
Shaw returned to full England training this week, but it remains to be seen if the United left-back will be ready for the last-16 clash against Slovakia.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/dyrD1u0