Why Alan Shearer thinks that Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey should get an England call-up – possibly ahead of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has backed Jonjo Shelvey to get an England call-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Many believe that Shelvey should be included in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad, but so far the Three Lions manager has given no indication that it will happen.
One of those is Shearer, who thinks that the 25-year-old should arguably be higher up Southgate’s pecking order than Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.
“I would have him in my squad,” the former Magpies striker said while speaking as a pundit on Match Of The Day (BBC One, 13/05/2018, 10:20pm).
“I’m not saying he should start, but if England want to chase a game and put someone on to try and find that special pass in behind into the path of a forward, then he can do it.
“We’ve made mistakes in the past with England taking players you can’t rely on because of injury. When I compare it with Jack Wilshere – he’s had 12 Premier League starts this season and it’s a huge gamble again and I don’t think England can take too many gambles and I don’t think he (Shelvey) would be a gamble.”
Wilshere looks almost certain to be on the plane to Russia having re-established himself in the Gunners team after struggling with fitness problems and being sent out on loan to Bournemouth last season.
The nation are short of options in Shelvey’s central midfield position, however, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool missing the tournament due to a knee injury.
Whether or not Southgate takes Shearer’s advice and includes the Newcastle ace, though, remains to be seen.
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