England manager Gareth Southgate left quite a few Chelsea players out of his squad for Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate did call up Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher for the tournament.
However, the Three Lions boss decided to leave Chelsea captain Reece James, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill all at home.
For England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, it was a surprise to see one of those players omitted from Southgate’s squad.
Wayne Rooney claims Chelsea star has performed for England in the past
Heading into the European Championship, defence was a bit of a problem for Southgate.
Harry Maguire was not fit enough to make the final squad, while Luke Shaw, although he has been included, did not play a single minute of football during the group stage because of his own fitness issues.
Kieran Trippier, who is right-footed, has had to play at left-back as a result. Rooney has now questioned the omission of Chilwell, who would have brought more balance to England’s backline with his left foot.
“I was very surprised, shocked really, that Ben Chilwell didn’t get picked just for balance of having a left-footed player there,” the former striker said on Football Daily.
“Ben Chilwell is playing at Chelsea, he has been good for England in the past, he has been at tournaments as well. So I was really surprised he wasn’t selected.”
Should Gareth Southgate have picked Ben Chilwell?
Chilwell has, of course, had his own injury problems as well. However, the 27-year-old, who cost Chelsea £50m when he joined them from Leicester City back in 2020, is fit again.
Shaw was not when the England squad was announced, making it madness that he was called up.
The United star could still feature in the knockout round and if he performs, then fair play to Southgate.
But bringing Shaw to Germany has been a gamble that is yet to pay off and you cannot help but feel that either Chilwell or Levi Colwill, who can play at both left-back and centre-back, should have been taken instead.
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