‘It’s sad’… Joe Cole reacts to Manchester United star learning nightmare news

Follow us on Google Discover

Joe Cole believes that the decision to leave one England player out in particular could prove to be costly for the Three Lions this summer.

England will kick-off their European Championship campaign next weekend and will be hoping to end their 66-year drought for a major international tournament.

Gareth Southgate came so close to guiding England to a major tournament victory at the previous European Championship but failed with a penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley Stadium.

Southgate will be hoping that this tournament is the one to finally end their wait for a major trophy and with the players available to him, they have to be considered favourites.

Cole on England’s big weakness

Speaking on talkSPORT former Chelsea winger Joe Cole believes the team will miss the influence of one Manchester United player in particular.

“It’s surprising, with Harry he’s carrying a knock isn’t he going into this,” Cole said. “To have [Jarrad] Branthwaite and Harry Maguire (out of the squad), I think leaves us light in central defence.

“I think Harry has been a brilliant player for England, every tournament he turns up. That must have been in Gareth’s mind and he’s wrestling with the fact he’s not played a lot and it’s his call. Whoever misses out, it’s heartbreaking for them at this stage. It’s sad for Harry.”

It has been a good season for Maguire but the calf problem that the former Leicester City defender has been nursing towards the end of the season, has meant he will miss out on the major tournament.

England’s defensive options

John Stones is set to be one of the starters for England but it is unclear who will line up alongside the Manchester City defender.

Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez are the other possible players who could be given the nod.

Kyle Walker could also lineup as a centre-back which could then allow Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was deployed in the middle of the park against Bosnia & Herzegovina, to play at right-back for the Three Lions.