The England squad for the 2022 World Cup is in, and as per, there is more talk about who isn’t selected than who is.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier, after missing out on Euro 2020, will be going to Qatar, but AC Milan defender, Fikayo Tomori and Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings miss out.
Former Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor stated that he was ‘surprised’ by the call to snub Mings, as well as AC Milan defender Tomori, and he highlighted the ‘lack of pace’ in England’s backline and the ‘mistakes’ Dier has made this season.
It’s pretty clear that England’s weak point is their defence, with out-of-form players selected, as well as those who have hardly been playing, such as Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.
Added to that, with the injury to Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell, there is only one bonafide left-footed defender within the squad – Luke Shaw – and that was also highlighted by Agbonlahor, as he told talkSPORT.
“We have nine defenders and one left-footed player,” said Agbonlahor. “We have one-left footed performer in Tomori, who won Serie A (last season). Yes, he had two bad games against Chelsea, but you can sort of forgive him for that, it was his old club, so maybe something was going on there. It was awkward to play against them.
“If we are depending on Kyle Walker being fit, because our defence lacks pace, then that could be the biggest factor in us progressing to the knockout stages. He is the most important player. We need some pace in that centre-half area.
On Mings not being selected: “I am surprised he’s not in. I think Mings has made a few mistakes this season. Eric Dier has made a few mistakes, it happens with defenders. But all round, Mings’ game has been strong, aggressive, he’s probably performed the best against Haaland this season, performed his best for England and has never let them down. I think he’s unlucky not to be in it.
“Then you look at Dier-Stones-Maguire, and Stones has been a top defender, but we lack speed. You go into the knockout stages, you could play Brazil, who have got speed everywhere. Mbappe for France. I think you need a bit of speed in your defence.”
TOMORI IS UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT
The one who should feel most unfortunate is Tomori because, given some of the players that have been selected in defence, he has every right to put his name amongst those.
Whilst Mings has never left England down when donning the Three Lions colours, in truth, Villa’s form and decline under the now-sacked Steven Gerrard, just haven’t helped his cause.
Either way, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s Harry Maguire, John Stones and Eric Dier starting in a back three for England’s opener against Iran in 11 days’ time.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
