Three Newcastle United players were named in England's World Cup finals squad - but a lot of talk has surrounded one Magpies star that missed out.
Former England striker Gary Lineker has admitted he is ‘a little bit baffled’ by Lewis Hall’s exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad for this summer’s World Cup finals.
The Newcastle United star has impressed throughout what has been a difficult season for the Magpies and was widely expected to secure a seat on the plane to North America. Despite receiving plaudits far and wide for his performances during the campaign, Hall’s name was absent from the 26-man squad named by Tuchel on Friday morning in a move that caught many by surprise.
Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly appears to be in line to start the tournament at left-back and Tottenham Hotspur’s versatile full-back Djed Spence is likely to now play a backup role on the left-hand side of Tuchel’s backline. Hall’s Magpies team-mates Tino Livramento and Dan Burn are also able to fill in at left-back when required - but none of the backup options have appeared in that position as regularly as Hall.
The 21-year-old has four senior England caps to his name and appeared for Tuchel’s side in friendly games against Uruguay and Japan in March - but he will not feature at this summer’s World Cup finals and Lineker has admitted the decision to omit the Magpies star has caught him by surprise after he performed well against Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal earlier this season.
Speaking on The Rest is Football Podcast, the former England captain said: “I think there are a couple of standout ones for me. Everyone would do it differently. Everyone - and there is only one guy that counts. But I found Lewis Hall hard to understand. I really do. I think he’s been absolutely brilliant this season. He talks about Djed Spence being his second choice left-back but he’s more of a right-back. And he talks about that he’s really quick and if we come up against a winger like that. But Lewis Hall was the only player I’ve seen really cope well with Lamine Yamal this season - so I’ve found that one a little bit baffling.”
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