Alan Shearer believes Jonjo Shelvey should’ve been in Southgate’s 23-man squad to give us ‘something a bit different’, but admits that it’s ‘pretty much as expected’ that England ignored him despite his superb form – confirming the sad reality of the situation.
Despite superb seasons at St James’ Park, it was confirmed yesterday that both Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey failed to receive a call-up to this summer’s World Cup.
As Shearer suggests, it should come as no surprise, especially for Shelvey.
Somehow, they’ve never been rewarded with a call-up throughout the whole season, and it’s still clear that those inside the England camp still have reservations regarding his discipline – despite him not picking up a yellow card in 2018 and putting in a shift every week.
Here’s what Alan’s had to sat in reaction to yesterdays’ news:
“The only one I would have included myself is Jonjo Shelvey just to add something a bit different. He would bring a calmness on the ball & he is someone whose first thought is a forward pass.
“He can keep hold of the ball if we need it, or pick his head up and play a long pass.”
“He would bring a calmness on the ball. He would be someone whose first though would be forward. But I think it’s pretty much as expected.”
The last line says it all. Shelvey’s probably THE most in form midfielders in England right now, yet it couldn’t have even come as much of a surprise that Southgate ignored him.
Weak management, further proof that players in the North East tend to get overlooked or ignored by England and a big mistake on Southgate’s part.
