Gareth Southgate has provided a rather bizarre explanation as to why Fikayo Tomori was snubbed from England’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
Tomori was in the England squad for their Nations League games in September but was forced to watch the game against Italy at his home stadium the San Siro from the bench, and then exited the squad before their second game.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
The feeling is that the Canada-born defender has never been given a fair shot by Southgate who continues to pick players who are either based in the Premier League or who have questionable form, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Conor Coady and Eric Dier all chosen ahead.
Southgate was asked about the decision to pick the centre-backs that he has and to not go for Tomori or even Roma’s Chris Smalling, both of whom went to Italy in search of more opportunities and certainly took them.
“We’ve picked our more experienced defenders,” Southgate said (via FI).
“The younger ones have good qualities, but we don’t think they’ve quite done enough to push the experienced ones out.
“Maguire? He is one of our best central defenders, even though we have many players who are playing at the level required to be part of the English national team.”
Tomori has been shit this season and he hasn’t played well in his limited appearances for England. He didn’t merit selection. As for the implied EPL bias, Bellingham is in the squad.
Yes bro. Maguire has bee awesome! One of the best for Manchester United this season!
Maguire is the best defender in the world. Has been ever since joining ManU with record fee. The prices don’t lie, right? 😀 😀 😀
Maguire is useless he the fault of most of United goals worst 80 million ever spend
🤔🤔🤔🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
You clown. Tomori had a rough couple of weeks but since the Chelsea game he has been rock solid. And even at his worst he is better than every bum they have in the current squad. Dier? Maguire? Seriously?
Leave Southgate alone! We lie and die by our choices. It’s he’s call; not yours or mine
Switch to Canada,simple. England doesn’t rate you as they should be and it’s a punch in the gut knowing that Maguire will be there and you won’t be. Switch to team Canada as they’ll appreciate you and let’s be real, England will never win any trophy in the next 100 years.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 I totally agree it’s just a bias on Southgates part. England will never win anything in a 100 years and am backing the us the beat them in their group
His performances against Chelsea sealed his fate, he should still be going ahead of a guy that is not even playing for his club (Maguire) or a guy that Southgate has admitted is not going to be fit until after the group stages (Walker). Good for Milan though I guess.
“Good for Milan though I guess.”
Probably so. Lesser risk on injuries before the January matches.
Hahahaaa maguire is going to the wc. Southgate was a joke as a player and is even more of a joke as a coach. England have wasted the best squad they’ve had in generations with this guy at the helm. So sad. So southgate
Tomori hasn’t been in his best form this early season, but to compare him with Maguire…
If it was Tomori from last season I would be calling it a snub. This season it makes sense he’s laid an egg in some big games. Hopefully this gets him going.
As opposed to Dier and Maguire who have been laid eggs for their entire careers.
The truth is Southgate has his starting defenders decided and Tomori isn’t going to be one of them. He also isn’t a true like-for-like backup for any of them.
If Southgate was more ambitious and wanted to play a high line and press on the front foot, Tomori and Stones would be the best LCB/RCB pairing they could have.
In this case though, he’s likely fighting for the final CB spot on the roster so it’s most likely any game time that player would get would be as a late sub to just sit in and defend crosses like crazy. Tomori isn’t the guy for that role.
To put it another way, this decision was made a long time ago. They’re going with what they got, and Tomori will have to hope for a change in management or tactics to get a chance to be first choice in the future.
Chris smalling lacks experience? Uhm… k.
Tomori hasn’t played his best this season, I agree…But he is far better than the clowns like Maguire….Also Smalling should’ve been at the World Cup….
Southgate himself was not spectacular during his playing days, just like Maguire, so what do you expect. Milan fan or not, Tomori has done far better than Maguire in the past two seasons. So, there’s clear bias.
Never mind Maguire, tomori has had some shaky games this season but there is no English cb better than him at the moment. It’s an outrage but good thing I can’t stand england. Think they’re the best nation meanwhile haven’t won anything or are going to win anything in our lifetimes
Feels sorry for Tomori but at least he can avoid getting injury.
Tomori might not be in his best this eason but he’s definitely still better than that clown Maguire lol.
Well, Canada will welcome him with open arms. It’s an opportunity for him to first team without much pressure and discover himself.
You do realize he has played qualification matches for england and thereby wont be allowed to change affiliation with the international team ? Had he only played friendly matches it would be a different matter,
Home-based players are preferred historically by England managers, not just Southgate; that’s just the way it is. If Bellingham wasn’t exceptional he would be overlooked.
Doesn’t matter much; our WC will come to an end if and when we meet France in the QF
Don’t look too far ahead, England isn’t even guaranteed to get to QF 😂
England need to sack Southgate if England can’t reach at least SF this World Cup.