Football fans from across the country have responded with a mixed reaction after seeing Jonjo Shelvey overlooked once again by Gareth Southgate, with the England boss choosing to bring in Jack Cork and Jake Livermore in place of central midfielders Jordan Henderson, Fabian Delph and Harry Winks – who all withdrew through injury this week.
England aren’t blessed with too many talented central midfielders as it is, so it really is quite strange that Jonjo couldn’t even earn a call-up when we were left so short of forward thinking midfielders.
I’d admit, Shelvey hasn’t been at his best this season, but it has been said time and time again that England lack creativity from midfield and a player who is willing to get a hold of the ball and look forward.
Our central midfield options ahead of the friendly with Germany on Saturday consist of Jack Cork, Eric Dier and Jake Livermore – three players who are far too similar and anything but forward thinking.
Don’t get me wrong, until he finds some more consistency, there’s reasons for not picking Shelvey when England have everyone fit, but I’m really struggling here and some of the tweets on the matter following England’s decision make interesting reading.
England have been criticised for a lack of creativity from midfield and Southgate has proceeded to overlook players who could actually offer us exactly that – how long is Shelvey’s temperament going to be used against him I wonder?
Here’s some fan reactions to Cork and Livermore being called up following England’s central midfield injury crisis this week – it’s clear people sit on either side of the fence when it comes to Jonjo Shelvey!
Got the chance to call up shelvey or Wiltshire two ball players and he calls up Livermore and cork , says it all , get rid so negative ?
— Rob frankland (@Robfrankland) November 8, 2017
Decent England squad, only person I can think who is missing is Shelvey, could be the playmaker England desperately need #bbcfootball
— Kris Jefferson (@krisyj96) November 2, 2017
Honest question; if Shelvey played for anyone else would #NUFC fans be clamouring for him to be in the England squad?
— JB (@BigJB147) November 7, 2017
Imagine a world where Jack Cork and Jake Livemore are considered to be better footballers than Jack Wilshire and Jonjo Shelvey. ???⚽️ #ENG
— Jordan Knill (@Kniller_) November 7, 2017
Find the 'Shelvey for England' hype a bit odd. Pings the odd decent diagonal but doesn't do much else. Basically a balder version of Rooney.
— Jack (@JDanial16) October 30, 2017
Is Jack Cork better than Jonjo Shelvey? In any way?
Gareth Southgate has his heart set on calling up the most vanilla midfielders possible.
— Alex McCarthy (@Al_Mac8) November 7, 2017
I don't see the issue with Jack Cork being called up? Yeah Wilshere and Shelvey play for 'bigger' teams but Burnley have been outstanding…
— Liam / Seg (@LMachin97) November 7, 2017
Now I’m nowhere near Shelvey’s biggest fan, but Christ alive man Jack Cork over him? That’s an insult
— Daniel Knight (@DanielKnightt) November 7, 2017
Jonjo Shelvey is a tool amongst men but he’s gotta be in worth a shout for England, better than a lot of the **** we have in midfield atm
— azza (@09azza) October 30, 2017
Where do you stand on the matter?
