England World Cup Squad REACTION 🚨 Foden, Maguire and Palmer MISS OUT!
BBC Sport’s Sam Harris is joined by former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, England fan and content creator Rukiah Ally, and Last Pundit Standing winner Nahyan Chowdhury to react to England’s World Cup squad announcement. Follow more on the BBC Sport app, iPlayer and Sounds. ============= Find us here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCMOTD X: https://x.com/BBCMOTD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcfootball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bbcsport bbcfootball
Transcript
Hi guys and welcome to the England squad reaction for the 2026 World Cup. We're expecting the news in around 15 minute in 15 minutes time, but for now we have an expected squad which we will go through. I'm sure you guys were seeing the leaks last night and everything all the headlines coming out. So we'll talk about that. But before then let's introduce our guests. We've got last pundit standing winner Naheen Chaudhry. We've got content creator Rookie at Ali. And we've also got former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha. Guys, how are we? >> Good thank you. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Excited. >> Excited for this tournament. >> This is it. This is it. >> [laughter] >> It's time. >> Build up to the World Cup starts tomorrow. >> That's it mate. That's it. So, do we want to go through the expected squad and a few of the headlines? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We're not expecting too much to change. This is what BBC Sport understands. There could be some differences. Put that out there as a bit of a caveat, but go through goalkeepers. Reel that off cuz I feel like it's what we all expected. Yeah, Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford. >> Yeah. What were you expecting? >> Yeah, definitely. >> much. Yeah. >> Was there anyone else that was part of the mix there potentially or not? >> No, there was a few that had been called. I think Jason Steele had had a call up and you know Nick Pope as well, but I don't think there was any that would ever really going to budge that >> Yeah. >> I think those three are probably the best England keepers. I know James Trafford probably doesn't play as much as he should. However, he is a fantastic keeper. So, um that is a nice nice three to have. >> Defenders. >> This is where the headlines were coming in last night. >> Okay. >> So, if I just go through the big ones. No Trent Alexander-Arnold. No Lewis Hall. Dan Burn in, no Harry Maguire. Djed Spence in was what we learned this morning as well. This is all expected. This isn't confirmed. This is all expected. What do we make of that? Let's start on Trent cuz that was the biggest one. >> Yeah. In terms of profile, I think it is a very surprising one. He is a very unique player. He has his defensive detriments. Everyone Everyone knows that. However, on the ball he is the best passer the in the England squad. Um if you need a goal to be a lucky, I'm sure he can provide that. And I'm I'm pretty sure Harry Kane would have loved him in the squad as well. Ripping balls in. Look, Reece James can do that. Can he Does he have the technical ability like Trent? Probably not. However, I think Trent will be a big miss in terms of what quality he can bring. >> If it was If it was a case of Alexander-Arnold or Reece James, you Would you have gone for Alexander-Arnold? >> I think so just because of the passing ability that he has. It's We could see his diagonal balls to push England up and get them up the pitch. And I think England don't really have that player quality. >> Mhm. >> And defensively, they're not as bad as they used to be. Now we've got Marc Guehi, who's a fantastic defender. We've got Konaté now, your Europa League winner, who's fantastic. Look, Maguire An admission of Maguire and Konaté shows how good the center backs are now. And with the expected profiles coming into into midfield, I think they can do a lot of covering for Trent in order for him to play those balls into the channel. >> for? Covering for? >> And we've we've we've we've seen that for Liverpool, for example, when Trent We can't Liverpool can't build a team around him, and that's how the front line excelled. >> Yeah. >> Henderson did a lot of covering for Trent, but I think that it's a team sport. You need to bring the best out of your players. And Trent has that quality in order to get you into those later rounds and probably win you a game as well. Are you on the Reece James boat instead? >> Heavily. >> [laughter] >> All my thoughts are with Reece James. I think I think Reece James is top, and I think what I like about him is like, you know, you talked about Alexander-Arnold there, and that's the sort of like best case scenario, the ceiling level, you know, with the diagonal balls, the this, the that. But I think Reece James, like I think he's got incredible quality, but he also raises the floor. Defensively, I think he's excellent. He's a lot better than Trent defensively. I think he can play His physicality is there. He can play right back. He could play center half. He could play in midfield. Not to say that he will do all those things, but somebody that's that versatile and that trusted by the manager like Tucos had it before, so you know, that probably plays into it in some ways. But, like I think personally, if England were to win it, and I think they've got more chance of winning it if someone like Reece James at right back than they would do with Alexander-Arnold. >> Yeah, I think I agree with you there. I'm going to Sorry to interrupt. >> No, no, no, [laughter] I know, I understand cuz I Reece James is a fan It is a debate between them both. I just think Trent is such a unique profile. You don't have anyone like him in terms of Reece James can put a ball in, he's a fantastic crosser. But, can he play that diagonal to get up the pitch and break the lines, especially with the midfielders that are expected to go? >> So, would he be a starter for you for England? >> He won't be a starter now because you can't rely on him in the bigger games, especially starting against potentially your Brazils, your Argentinas. But, if you are a goal down with 15-20 to go, I think he can produce that quality in order to get you back in the game. And then, come extra time, you never know cuz he's a great set-piece taker as well. He's a great ball striker. Free kicks, you can rely on him on a penalty, too. And of course, you can Reece James, I'm not denying that, but I just think >> He sounded like he's making Reece James his >> [laughter] >> I am, but Trent Not everyone knows how unique he is. Everyone talks about how unique of a profile he is. So, why not bring that unique profile in? It's a 26-man squad. He should be there He can be there. It's not like we're down to 22 where places are limited. We've got enough places for them in my opinion, anyway. >> [laughter] >> Well, guys, this lot can chat for days, but we want you guys to get involved as well. If you're on the new BBC Football channel, don't forget to subscribe and turn notifications on there, as well. But, get your comments in the chat. We want you to be involved. Same if you're watching on the BBC Sport live text, as well. Get your questions in, we'll throw it to the group, we'll debate, and yeah, we'll go through everything. >> Yeah. >> So, on that, we've got a few in on Harry Maguire on YouTube. >> Mhm. >> Caleb's asking, "Why is Maguire been dropped? Absolutely clueless." Um we've got a few Rush there. He says, "Justice for Maguire." Um Colonel Kermit, "Maguire's washed. Can't see him playing a high line for Tuchel. Understand why he's left out." >> Ooh, no, I'm shocked by Maguire. I've got to be honest. I am a bit biased, but >> Hang on. Hang on. What's the bias? >> A United fan. >> [laughter] [laughter] >> No, you've ruined it now. No, I'm joking. But, I do feel like even non-United fans, I feel like as the comments say, they'd agree with me. I think it's shocking. I think Harry Maguire, he's been so consistent for United this season. He's played well. Not only that, consistent for England. Like he's been playing for the last four tournaments, I think it is, and yeah, I don't know. I was quite shocked. I mean, I even made a video on it yesterday. I was like, "Wow, I can't believe he's been left out." But, I don't know. What do you guys think? >> I I think the reason why he has been left out is because I was looking at this before, the passing percentage in comparison to Marc Guehi. I think in the league it was about 86%. Marc Guehi's rates are 95, 96. So, that difference in passing ability probably has come into Tuchel's fact mindset. >> being in the squad completely is I don't expect him to start, but >> cuz well, I think they're probably bringing in five center backs or so. He probably should be the fifth one because of his aerial ability in both boxes. >> Mhm. >> But, I think with Tuchel's style of play wanting to build out and have possession of the ball, and a lot of England fans also adamant, "Why can't we be the team that puts pressure on other nations?" And be able to do that, you need pass a passing ability in the back line. >> got his passing. I'm not >> But, but the But, the stats do show that he probably isn't the best at progression, but >> so. >> Shall I run through who's in instead? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, and that kind of conver- cuz I think that's where people were, you know, not necessarily against Maguire being out. It's probably >> Who's in? >> Who's in in his place. >> Burn. >> Yeah. Well, let me counter that one because the Dan Burn one, I think for two goals, whenever possible, he's probably going to look at the balance of left-footed players cuz Harry Maguire himself has played on that left side at left center half. >> True. >> And I'll be completely honest with you, like a left-footed player playing that compared to right is completely different. It's not to say that Guehi, you know, sees it, you know, same way as a left-footer, but sometimes you do want the option of the balance there. But I think the one that sort of sticks out to me more is it feels like it's Konsa for Maguire. >> Yeah. >> Because Konsa is someone who is relatively new within that space. And like I'm surprised in some ways that Tuchel's backed him so much. >> like a risk. >> It but then it's it's only a risk if he plays. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if Konsa is really going to play that much football. >> Yeah. >> like a 26-man squad for what could essentially be six or seven games. Going to try and find continuity for the for the most part, isn't he? So Yeah, I I get it. Obviously, you're going to you're going to name people in a second, but the Konsa one is interesting. If Harry Maguire was going to go there and not start, I'd say in fact, let me spin that. >> Mhm. >> If >> [snorts] >> we can go into this more. Say John Stones starts at right center half for England. Just say that's what it does. Let's forget that. Let's say Konsa starts. If it was Guehi or Maguire, who would you go for? >> Guehi. I'd have to go >> Guehi for the reasons I've said. >> Yeah. So So So with that in mind then, Maguire's essentially going to be a substitute within England within the England squad. And that sort of in my mind changes the sort of narrative around who you pick. Because there were some people who maybe Tuchel sees as still being of a benefit and like if they were to come on, can have an impact. But for as good as Harry Maguire is and has been, it's not really an impact in terms of somebody being able to come off the bench or whatever. >> as a former center half yourself, would you as a defender in the England camp not want Maguire in and around you when you're doing your drills and stuff? >> Yeah. >> rather than Joe Gomez >> 100 Well, it's it's not a case of instead of Joe Gomez cuz there's probably no way we could have both of them in it. You know what I mean? But I think anyone that's had experience and has been successful with England relatively speaking cuz obviously the ultimate success is lifting a trophy. But in our lifetimes we've seen them be one game or one performance away from doing it. You know what I mean? So, it would be good to have him around. But then again, you're going away for like 5-6 weeks and stuff like this. And one thing about sides that you pick like this, there are tons of players who are starters for their national for their club sides who go away for 6 weeks and are now subs. They're like not even involved in the narrative around this World Cup. They're just cheerleaders for the most part. And [laughter] as as mad as that may sound, like that's the tough reality of it. And you need to find people who are in a position to where they'll be consu- consummately professional >> Yeah. >> in a time where it can be very easy to think about yourself. >> And I think with Maguire's post yesterday, it probably shows a little bit of lack of professionalism in terms of the squad not even being announced yet and you kind of >> From the top. >> I get I get why he's I get why he's got it cuz he's had a five-minute situation. >> I I think it shows a bit of lack of lack of respect for the other players that have >> I don't think he was expecting it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> She's always dangerous in there. >> [laughter] >> Right. So, guys, we're expecting the squad announcement in around 3 minutes time. So, we will have the official names in. >> Okay. >> There is still a chance. >> [laughter] >> I saw FPL Limbs. >> expected squad is the expected squad. But before then, should we do a quick in or out? So, I'll give you a few names. In or out? Why? Basically. As quickly as possible. >> You know, in the squad or starting 11? >> In your squad. So, in your 26-man squad, would you have them? Let's go. Morgan Gibbs-White. >> In, yeah. I think he's actually had an excellent season. So, I'd have liked seeing him be in there. >> Yeah, in. >> Yeah. >> I echo Megan's points. >> Jordan Henderson. >> Well, I'm super biased. I'd have to recuse myself. That's my friend. So, yeah, in. So, [laughter] yeah, please give us your answer, too. >> Wow. >> I can't get involved in that one. >> I'm I'm I'm scared. I'm going to say out. >> Yeah, what what's YOUR ANSWER, THEN? >> [laughter] >> I'M SAYING OUT. I don't I mean I get he brings that experience into the England squad, but I think I mean how many games has he played this season for I don't I don't know. I just don't understand. >> I'm going in and going back to Naden's point of being professional in the dressing room. He won't play much at all, but he can bring that leadership in the in the dressing room itself. >> Definitely in. I'm my guy as well. >> [laughter] >> See the bias, guys. See the bias. >> [laughter] >> Eberechi Eze >> 1,000% in here. >> 1,000% in. >> I would put in as well, yeah. >> I wouldn't say 1,000% I think >> [laughter] >> I think he's touching out in comparison to the players, but probably in. Probably. >> And then brings us on nicely to the chat about the 10s. We'll do well to sum this up in 10 minutes before 10:00, but we're expecting no Palmer and no Phil Foden. No Morgan Gibbs-White either. >> Ooh, I didn't know that. >> Yeah, so there is a a lack of out-and-out 10s you would say that can play in that position. I know Foden floats, but the one we're expecting in, we've got Morgan Rogers and Eze. That's what we're expecting to play in that role. Thoughts? >> I think for me like Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze are probably better suited to partnering with Harry Kane. Whereas I think the other two, in my opinion, are the better 10 10s, if you know what I mean. But unfortunately, for the way the two goals drawn up the squad, obviously it's going to be built around the captain, but you know, the leading goalscorer in Harry Kane. And if you're going to find people that don't necessarily mix well together from a playing standpoint, then he's made that decision to not even bother doing it because it's great that you can hoard all this talent, but it has to work in two goals. He's in a very unique position compared to every other manager because in England's history, right now, he's been brought in to win the World Cup, not to like do well. It's not a question about how far can he get. It's like win this World Cup. And that's how he thinks he's going to win it. Yeah. >> Do you think now because of the lack of Palmer and Foden that kind of shows what role he's going to give Kane? And so the dropping and so dropping in and >> Yeah. I don't think I don't think Kane necessarily has the freedom to do whatever he wants. But I think Tite can understand his tendencies. And I think with those tendencies he needs people that are going to sort of mark him pretty well. And I think in times gone by we've seen more of him or just do that really well. I think you can see as they do it really well as well potentially. Unless he's maybe off to the left or something. So Yeah, I think that he's kind of revealed what his strategy is. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. I mean, I didn't expect Cole Palmer or Phil Foden to be called up. I'm not going to lie to you. >> Oh, you didn't expect both of them to? >> I mean, I thought out of them two, I feel like maybe Foden I want to say might have got a call up. But I mean, seeing that both of them are out now like I'm not overly surprised. Yeah. >> Is it because of their seasons or because of how he sees them? >> I think because of their seasons that's kind of what my perspective was. But I guess what would you say? >> No, no. I think I think >> Sorry, it's cutting off. >> Oh, we're going >> It's the full squad drops. So, goalkeepers let's run through them. We have Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford as expected. We then have defenders Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Rico Lewis-Potter, Jarell Quansah, Jed Spence and John Stones. Midfielders Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers. Forwards Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins. >> Wow. Big decisions in there. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The standout for me there that we've not touched on, Ivan Toney. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think that probably plays into the mindset of how good he is with penalties. However, if you are a striker, I don't care who you are, regardless if it's in the final, in in the quarters, if you're stepping up to take a penalty, you should be able to confidently take one. I don't care about your records and stuff. If you are a striker, you should be putting it on target at least and having a chance of scoring, which is why do you really need Ivan Toney when you've got other strikers who should be able to take a penalty? Um so, that for me is probably a surprising inclusion, I'd say. Who Who else would have been in instead of him? I don't think Look, Kane's going to play 80 minutes minimum in every single game barring any injuries. You've then got Ollie Watkins who can cover for him. So, why not use that place for another player, another midfielder who can bring something different potentially? Cuz Tuchel likes to change systems a lot. We've seen it in the friendlies and stuff. So, if Ivan Toney is only coming on rarely to potentially take a penalty, I don't know what he'll do. He may even play a few games, but you could give a position to your Palmers, for example. You could give one to Trent, for example, instead of Ivan Toney just for the penalty. Cuz you're only there You're only thinking if it goes that you might not even get to penalties anyway. So, an inclusion like that probably doesn't make sense for me in that regard. >> What do you think? >> I I mean, I'm quite shocked by it as well. But then, as you say, like I feel like why not use that that that squad number for someone else? Um whether like in a different position or whatever it may be, but yeah, I don't know. I think if I was Ivan Toney right now, I'd be very happy. I mean, can you imagine? Going off to Saudi, and people were saying, I remember, it was quite controversial. Everyone was saying, "Oh, you're not going to get, you know, you've basically given up on your England career." And then >> 32 goals in the league this season. >> Mhm. I mean, yeah, I'm not saying he's a bad player, but yeah, just surprised by it. >> Yeah, to be fair, I was coming on this yesterday, and this shows his goal record. I was like, "Oh, right. Okay." >> Yeah. >> And that's the thing I didn't know cuz I I don't ha