England were knocked out by Germany in the 2010 World Cup
Warnock believes Leighton Baines didn’t want to go to the World Cup
Baines has denied these claims over the years
Leighton Baines won 30 caps for England. He was one of the Premier League’s best left-backs during his time at Everton.
But according to his former teammates Stephen Warnock and Joleon Lescott, Baines turned down the chance to represent England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The reason? He did not want to leave home.
Warnock on England call-up: ‘Bainsey didn’t want to go’
Warnock was included in Fabio Capello’s squad as a deputy to Ashley Cole. He recalls thinking he would not make the cut. Two warm-up games. He did not play in either. Leighton Baines played in one. Then Warnock got the call.
“The thing was, I didn’t think I was going to go. We had two warm-up games. One of them we played Japan. I didn’t play in either. Ash [Cole] played in one and Bainsey played in the other. I thought, ‘I’m not going. That’s me done.’ Then I got a phone call when he got back…”
Lescott interjected: “Bainsey didn’t want to go, did he? He said, ‘Nah, that ain’t for me.'”
Warnock confirmed: “He didn’t want to be away from home.”
Lescott: Bayern Munich wanted him badly
Lescott, who played alongside Baines at Everton and for England, added more context. “Bainsey wasn’t on that. He didn’t like it. He was close to going to Bayern Munich. Like really close. They really wanted him. Desperately wanted Leighton Baines.”
The left-back had a chance to move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs. He turned it down. He also reportedly turned down a move to Aston Villa earlier in his career”. Warnock recalled, “There was a point before I went to Villa, I was at Blackburn and Bainsey was going to go to Villa and I was going to go to Everton from Blackburn. But Bainesy was just like, ‘I don’t really fancy it.’ He didn’t want to move. I mean, a lot of Scousers are like that.”
Leighton Baines, apparently, would not agree with the claims. He has vigorously denied the claims over the years, insisting he was simply not selected by Capello. But Warnock and Lescott tell a different story. Whether true or not, the picture they paint is consistent with the quiet, home‑loving character Everton fans came to know. A brilliant footballer. A private man. And someone who valued family over fame.
Shumail Sajid
Shumail Sajid is a dedicated and expert writer covering various teams, most recently, Everton, with a keen eye for team developments, match analysis, and the latest news. With three years of experience as a football writer, he provides interesting, insightful coverage that resonate with fans. Beyond writing, he is a passionate football follower, frequently attending matches and exploring football culture. Follow his work for in-depth yet fan-friendly analysis, and feel free to share your thoughts, even if you disagree! Connect with him on @shumail1434 on X
View all articles →