Roy Keane has been discussing Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and the other England players who will not feature at this year’s World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel surprised many by leaving out the likes of Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire.
There has been a lot of sympathy for Maguire especially, but Keane does not feel sorry for the Manchester United defender, Palmer, Foden or anyone else that Tuchel has overlooked.
Has Cole Palmer been wronged? Or is it just deserved for his poor form?🤔
Thomas Tuchel explains Cole Palmer snub from England's World Cup squad
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Roy Keane tells Cole Palmer England snub is on him
Keane has made it clear: if you cannot make it into a 26-man squad, that is on you.
Speaking before England’s 1-0 win against New Zealand on Saturday, the former United captain said: “Every time we do an England game, we speak a lot about players who have been left out or in terms of the squad are left out of the starting XI.
“But I think if you can’t get into a squad of 26, that’s on you. That is on the player, you’ve not done enough to convince that manager and there will always be uproar with England for players that are left out if they play for certain clubs but that’s on you, if you can’t make a squad of 26, that’s on you, don’t blame anyone else.”
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, is interviewed by pundits and former players Roy Keane and Ian Wright
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
While Palmer did not make the Three Lions’ squad, one Chelsea player did after Reece James was called up.
James was a second-half substitute against New Zealand and will be expected to be England’s starting right-back at the World Cup.
Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah were also in contention to be selected for the competition, but in the end Tuchel decided to omit the duo alongside Palmer.
Roy Keane verdict brutal but fair
Keane has not held back, but Palmer cannot have too many complaints. He was outperformed by Morgan Rogers in the Premier League last season, while Jude Bellingham was never going to be left at home.
Palmer’s output was very similar to Eberechi Eze’s, so you can argue that he was perhaps unfortunate to lose out to the Arsenal man.
Morgan Gibbs-White had a stronger campaign than the Chelsea star, though, so it is likely that he would have been picked if Eze was not selected.
At least Palmer will get this summer off and a chance to rest. It was perhaps an overload that impacted his performances and fitness in the first place.
Xabi Alonso will not be complaining too much about Palmer not having to travel to America for the World Cup.
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