In an interview with Sky Bet’s Stick to Football, former Manchester United defender-turned-pundit Gary Neville raised eyebrows by identifying the one England player who Thomas Tuchel and his well-trained team cannot afford to let go.
Following consecutive victories against Albania and Latvia without giving up a goal in either of their Nations League qualification matches, things got off to a great start for the German, who is only the non-third Englishman to assume the position.
Jordan Henderson’s unexpected inclusion in Tuchel’s first team was one of the highlights, and Neville’s suggestion of one player the former Chelsea manager must start caused Ian Wright and Roy Keane to become both confused and incensed.
Neville’s England Claim Raises Eyebrows
Carragher, perplexed: “What are you talking about?”
Neville asserted, “It’s the age-old thing with England,” before implying that certain players on the England circuit are guaranteed spots regardless of their club performance. “All right, some players need to be playing well, while others will play regardless of their club form.”
He went on: “I’ve attended eight tournaments throughout the years, so I know how the managers of England think. Harry Kane will play for England regardless of whether he has scored in his last five club games, right? [That is a] fact.
Neville said that the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer was only used due of his skill, citing Alan Shearer’s decline in goal-scoring ability in the run-up to EURO 1996. He also said that Phil Foden should experience the same thing under Tuchel.
Les [Ferdinand] and [Robbie] Fowler were never going to play, and [Alan] Shearer didn’t score until the Euro 96. Since he’s simply Shearer, it will be Shearer, right? For me, [Phil] Foden ought to be that player.
The suggestion from his companion in crime did not impress Jamie Carragher either. In response, he said, “What are you talking about?!” as other panellists moaned and former Arsenal talisman Wright exclaimed, “What?!” in complete shock.
One of the best Premier League players of all time, Neville, continued by speculating that Foden and Jude Bellingham may play in a two-man midfield, but Carragher made a good point by pointing out that Foden doesn’t play there for Manchester City.
It’s easy to say that Foden’s quality is undeniable, since he has played a key role in each of his six Premier League titles with Manchester United. However, this season’s inconsistent play casts considerable doubt on Neville’s assertion.
The right-winger, who is considered to be among the Premier League’s top free-kick takers at the moment, has scored four goals and provided nine assists in 45 games for the Three Lions, for whom he made his debut in September 2020.
One supporter said, “That’s why he is seen as one of the worst coaches ever,” referencing Neville’s turbulent tenure as Valencia’s manager, which is most remembered for the 7-0 thrashing at the hands of a high-flying Barcelona. One completely perplexed fan commented, “What in the world did I just hear in my ears?!” while another implied that Carragher, Keane, and Wright’s responses were telling. “I love how they all moaned right away.”
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