Switzerland coach Murat Yakin admits Kevin Mbabu’s lack of versatility is the reason behind his absence from the World Cup squad, speaking to BlueWin after dropping Fulham’s Premier League benchwarmer from his 26-man roster.
The former Newcastle United youngster has 22 caps for his country. He featured in every one of their matches at Euro 2020. And he was also part of Yakin’s plans for September’s UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Mbabu’s absence from Switzerland’s World Cup squad, then, may have come as something of a surprise.
Mainz’s one-time West Ham United enforcer Edimilson Fernandes has been picked at Mbabu’s expense; his flexibility giving the 26-year-old the edge over his West London-based compatriot.
“Edimilson Fernandes was preferred to Kevin Mbabu because he can be used in a variety of roles,” Yakin explains.
Kevin Mbabu left out of World Cup squad amid Fulham struggles
Mbabu’s omission continues a frustrating couple of months for a man who joined Fulham from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg in a £6.4 million deal over the summer. He has started just two Premier League games under Marco Silva so far. And, in one of those, he was hauled off at half-time during the 4-1 thrashing by Newcastle United, alongside fellow new recruit Layvin Kurzawa.
Fernandes, meanwhile, gives Yakin added competition not just at full-back but in midfield too. The ex-Fiorentina loanee, who spent three years at West Ham between 2016 and 2019, has played almost exclusively in the centre of the park for Mainz this term.
There were few other shocks in Switzerland’s squad; Granit Xhaka (Arsenal), Breel Embolo (Monaco), Denis Zakaria (Chelsea) and Fabian Schar (Newcastle United) all heading to Qatar. There was, however, no place for Cedric Itten. That is despite the striker’s record of seven goals and nine assists since leaving Rangers for BSC Young Boys.
“We have three central strikers. And, therefore, a lot of options up front,” adds Yakin, pointing out that Itten remains behind Haris Seferovic, Embolo and Leeds United target Noah Okafor in the Swiss pecking order.
Itten, however, is first reserve should injury strike.
“If something should happen up front, Cedric will be there. He’s ready for action.
“If we stick together and everything fits, we can keep up with the best teams,” Yakin adds. “But we’ve also made a lot of progress, in the technical and tactical areas.
“We have the potential to go very far. Many nations want to be world champions. First, we want to get through the group stage, then we’ll take it game by game.”
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