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Gareth Southgate plays it for laughs with 2 latest England call-ups and still ignoring Shelvey

6 years ago
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Gareth Southgate has muddied the waters even further with his latest call-ups for the England squad.

On Friday he attempted to justify the selection of players such as Jack Cork and Livermore, rather than Jonjo Shelvey.

The England manager claiming that the Newcastle midfielder wasn’t the kind of player he was looking for in the games against Germany and Brazil.

I would love to hear his explanation of what exactly Jack Cork and Jake Livermore DO offer against two of the best teams in the world.

The two latest players to join up with the England squad are Lewis Cook and Dominic Solanke.

Guessing you may be wondering exactly who they are and even if you do recognise the names, I bet you would be unlikely to identify both on a football pitch.

That would be because between them they have started eight Premier League matches. Solanke has never started one and Cook was selected four times last season and four times so far this time.

Lewis Cook is a central midfielder and he actually sat on the bench all game last Saturday at St James Park, not even getting a game as a sub for Bournemouth.

Obviously the reason given will be one of giving young players valuable experience etc etc.

However, at this stage with almost certainly only three more England friendlies (including Brazil) at the most before the end of the season and selection of the squad for Russia, this England squad has become a bit of a joke.

So many players dropping out, no doubt most of them will end up playing in their next club match. Others such as Drinkwater even knocking back the chance of being involved.

It is really only a money making exercise for England to have so many friendlies, far more than many other countries.

This is the third international interruption of the season already and for what? Gareth Southgate to call up so many players who have no chance of being involved in Russia and others who should never wear an England shirt.

Gareth Southgate on Friday:

“I think Jonjo Shelvey is a different type of player.

“He plays deeper, plays almost in the quarterback position for his club.

“We were needing something a little bit different for these games.”
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