Out of nowhere, Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah has been added to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup opener against Croatia and Harry Maguire has discussed being overlooked.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento had picked up an injury. A hamstring injury has ruled the full-back out of the tournament, and Tuchel has picked his replacement.
Starting to think England have called up the wrong player?🤔
Trevoh Chalobah has come in, which has raised some eyebrows. Tuchel has left himself short at full-back, with Reece James and Djed Spence the only recognised right-backs now in his group of 26 players.
Chalobah and Ezri Konsa can play on the right of the defence, but are naturally central defenders. There is a feeling that Chalobah has only got a call-up because Tuchel knows the Chelsea defender personally.
Harry Maguire understands why Chalobah has been chosen
Another reason for Chalobah’s call-up is that the Chelsea defender was holidaying in America anyway. Man United’s Maguire, meanwhile, is working as a pundit for Netflix’s The Rest Is Football in the States.
Gary Lineker initially joked on today’s edition of the programme that Maguire must be miles down the pecking order, before being asked seriously if he felt any frustration towards Chalobah’s call-up.
Maguire said: “When someone drops out like that, I do believe that as a squad, you need to call someone up with the minimum of fuss. No real media attention to it, no disruption to the camp.
“I don’t think Trent would have ever been called up; when it’s a big game, all the questions would have been about him. If he called me up, it would be about me,” the experienced England defender added.
“Luke Shaw is the same; we’ve been to previous tournaments, we play for big clubs. But congratulations to Trevoh, I hope he does well and has an impact on the squad,” he summarised, on Chalobah’s addition.
Does Chalobah have a chance of getting any World Cup minutes?
It is unlikely. At right-back, he is likely to be fourth choice. James will start against Croatia on Wednesday night, and Spence will provide cover. Tuchel is likely to prefer Ezri Konsa on the right if required.
Who do you want to see Chelsea sign for each of these positions? 👀
These are the FOUR areas the club have identified for this summer…
- Goalkeeper
- Central defender
- Central midfielder
- Left winger
At centre-back, England have John Stones, Marc Guehi, Konsa and Dan Burn, making Chalobah England’s fifth-choice option in the middle of the defence. Realistically, Chalobah is there to provide cover.
The main decision for Tuchel ahead of tonight’s match is who he starts in the middle of the defence; two of Guehi, Konsa and Stones. Burn is unlikely to start, and Chalobah is fifth in terms of the pecking order.
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