Southgate criticized for calling up Maguire

England coach Gareth Southgate caused controversy when he called up center-back Harry Maguire and midfielder Kalvin Phillips to play in the Euro 2024 qualifiers in June.

On May 24, Southgate announced the list of 25 England players preparing for the two Euro 2024 qualifying group C matches against Malta on June 16 and North Macedonia on June 19. The "Three Lions" are currently leading the group with two wins, defeating Italy 2-1 and Ukraine 2-0.

The most controversial call-up was Maguire and Phillips. The two players have not been in good form and have lost their starting positions at their respective clubs this season. In the Premier League, Maguire has only played 15 matches, seven of them as a starter, while Phillips has only started once - the 1-0 win over Chelsea on May 21 when Man City were already certain of winning the title.

Maguire was disappointed when England lost to France and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Reuters — Maguire was disappointed when England lost to France and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Photo: *Reuters*

The decision has led to a wave of criticism on Twitter from Southgate. "Phillips and Maguire being called up without playing at club level shows Southgate's style," one user wrote. "Anyone who understands football knows Maguire has no place in this list," another commented.

Many people think that Milan midfielder Fikayo Tomori deserves to be called up instead of Maguire. "It cannot be said that Tomori played so badly that Southgate had to choose Maguire - who no longer has a starting position at the club," this account commented.

Another was outraged that Aston Villa duo Jacob Ramsey and teammate Ollie Watkins - who have been in fine form since the 2022 World Cup - were not given a chance. "With Phillips, without Ramsey or Watkins, it's a crime," he fumed.

England's squad this time still includes key players like Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Man City have the most players with five names: Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden and Phillips, while Man Utd have Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Maguire. Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk - who has only played for England once - is called up for the first time since 2018, while Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze is expected to make his debut in June.

Chelsea trio Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Arsenal right-back Ben White were left out. Southgate said on BBC Radio 5 live that Sterling was not at his best with a hamstring problem, while White was only third-choice on the right, behind Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker.

Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the squad after missing the March training camp due to injury and a drop in form, along with Tyrone Mings and Callum Wilson - who have flourished at Aston Villa and Newcastle respectively. Ivan Toney is absent after being suspended by the Football Association (FA) and banned from all football-related activity for eight months for breaching betting rules. Southgate said he had spoken to Toney and left open the possibility of calling up the Brentford striker for Euro 2024.

In goal, the 52-year-old coach chose the trio of Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) and Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace). Nick Pope was left out of the England squad as well as Newcastle's final Premier League match because he had just undergone surgery on his hand injury.

England squad list :

Goalkeepers : Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders : Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Kyle Walker, John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)

Midfielders : Jude Bellingham (Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Declan Rice (West Ham)

Forwards : Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (Man City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)

Hong Duy

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