Jamaal Lascelles should feel more aggrieved about his England snub than ever before.
Sat at home cheering England on, Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles should feel some anger that he was not in Russia to play his part and even change the outcome of the Croatia defeat.
The Newcastle captain was one of the Premier League’s outstanding defenders last season, only to be unfairly overlooked by manager Gareth Southgate.
Southgate bravely selected Leicester’s Harry Maguire and handed him a starting role in England’s back three.
Maguire did not let England down, becoming a fan favourite and key man for the Three Lions.
Lascelles should have had the same opportunity.
It is hard to argue that as well as Kyle Walker played, he was a better option in a back three than a player like Lascelles, who is a real centre-back.
England would have been better off with Lascelles in their squad and he must use Maguire’ heroics as inspiration.
Now lauded as a £50 million defender, Maguire earned the praise of the country and the press.
Lascelles should have been in Russia instead of Phil Jones or Gary Cahill, and he neets to step up his performances further and make it impossible to be left out of future tournaments.
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