Andros Townsend was left out of England’s 23-man squad for the European Championships.
Former player Chris Waddle says England have missed a trick by not including Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend as he fees Roy Hodgson’s men lack genuine width, the Chronicle report.
Townsend was included in England’s preliminary squad following his superb run of form for the Magpies yet he was ultimately left behind as Roy Hodgson left him out of the squad of 23.
The Three Lions boast what appears to be a very attack-minded squad selection, yet only one or two are what you could deem natural wingers capable of running with the ball.
Speaking to Carlsberg, Waddle feels Townsend should have been in the squad and suggests his superb run of form may have come too late in the season to have cemented his spot.
“I would have kept Townsend in because he’s the only winger we’ve got,” Waddle explained, quoted by the Chronicle.
“Raheem Sterling is more of a player who likes to float around and Milner can play on the wing, but again prefers to be involved in the middle.”
“I look at Townsend and think if we need a bit of quality out wide he would have enjoyed it out there. He’s played well for Newcastle since he went up there but maybe it all came a bit late for him to gate-crash it.”
England lined up in their most recent friendly against Portugal with what Roy Hodgson may deem his ideal selection, and it soon became apparent why Townsend wasn’t included.
The Three Lions opted for a diamond formation which gets the best out of Wayne Rooney through the middle, while strikers Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy pulled wide to provide the width.
Townsend can feel hard done by for not making the squad after posting four goals and two assists in 13 league fixtures for Newcastle since his January arrival from Tottenham Hotspur.
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