Marcus Rashford has been recalled to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia
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Marcus Rashford has been called up to the England squad for the first time in a year
Marcus Rashford has been called up to the England squad for the first time in a year
(Image: Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Troy Deeney has questioned Thomas Tuchel's decision to recall Marcus Rashford to the England squad, insisting other players are more deserving of a call-up.
The Manchester United winger, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa, has endured a difficult 12 months for both club and country. He last took to the international stage in March 2024 and missed out on the Euro 2024 squad, as well as the Nations League campaign.
After being exiled by new United boss Ruben Amorim in December, the 27-year-old opted to join Villa on loan in the last transfer window and has already registered four assists in his nine appearances across all competitions. His upturn in form has earned him a recall to the England squad, which was announced on Friday morning, but Deeney is not convinced.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Premier League striker suggested others were more deserving of a place in Tuchel's squad. "I just think there is people that have done more and deserve it," Deeney said.
“This has been a gripe of mine for a long time with England. Morgan Gibbs-White has been a captain and a leader of a team that is over-performing and has just beat Manchester City.
“They’re third in the Premier League and he can’t get an England call-up. Can anyone explain that to me.”
Journalist Alex Crook, while agreeing Gibbs-White was the biggest omission, suggested that an in-form Rashford offers something different. A sentiment Deeney very much disagrees with.
“I’ve never been in a situation where we make so many excuses for one person [Rashford]." the former Watford man continued. "He’s 27 years old and we’re talking about ifs, buts and maybes.”
England will contest their first games under Tuchel later this month in World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. The former Chelsea boss, who was appointed in October and formally began his new role on January 1, was handed an 18-month contract with a view to leading the Three Lions at the World Cup in 2026.