Gabby Agbonlahor expressed his worry at Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson being called up by England for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by stating that he ‘gets a lot of injuries’, as he told talkSPORT.
Even though Wilson hasn’t played for England since 2019, ahead of the tournament later this month, he has banged and banged on that door in order to get picked by Gareth Southgate.
Well, six goals in ten Premier League matches have resulted in Wilson now heading to Qatar.
He was selected ahead of the likes of Roma frontman Tammy Abraham and perhaps his closest rival in Brentford penalty-king, Ivan Toney, who was part of the last England squad.
Former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor thinks Southgate perhaps should have taken both, especially given the risk of Kane or Wilson picking up a knock.
“The only thing that I would have said about having Toney over Wilson is because of his injury record,” said Agbonlahor.
“I feel you go into a tournament, quick turnaround of games, and if Harry Kane was injured, touchwood it doesn’t happen, but Wilson gets a lot of injury problems.
“Then you are probably down to Rashford through the middle, who plays his best form on the left. I think Ivan Toney isn’t just a penalty taker, he’s not just a header of the ball, he can do everything.
“I feel he could he have squeezed Toney in there and taken Toney and Wilson as back-ups to Kane. And then maybe sacrificed one of our other wingers. I think Toney should have got in there. I hope Wilson can get through the tournament without any injuries.”
WILSON DESERVES HIS CALL
This has been a long time coming, and in truth, if it wasn’t for past injuries then he would have made an appearance at St Georges Park during these past 18 months.
But Wilson’s movement, off the shoulder, but especially inside the penalty area, is going to be of a serious threat as England look to go one better from their Euro 2020 final heartache.
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