England boss Gareth Southgate insists picking Reece James would have been ‘arrogant’
Gareth Southgate says it would have been ‘ARROGANT’ to pick Reece James because injured England star would not be fit for World Cup group stage – as he reveals Kyle Walker is ‘a long way ahead’ of England team-mate in his recovery
England manager Gareth Southgate has insisted it would be ‘arrogant’ to select the injured Reece James for his World Cup squad because he would not be fit for the group stage.
Recovering Manchester City defender Kyle Walker was included when the Three Lions boss officially announced his 26-man list for the Qatar tournament on Thursday, while crocked Chelsea star James missed out.
And Southgate has opened up on the thinking behind his World Cup selection – particularly why he picked Walker but not the Blues right back.
Gareth Southgate insisted it would be ‘arrogant’ to select Reece James in his World Cup squad
The England manager (pictured) named his 26-man list for the Qatar tournament on Thursday
Southgate picked recovering defender Kyle Walker (above) but not injured Chelsea star James
He said: ‘We had to make a difficult call with Reece James but he wasn’t going to be available until the latter end of the tournament if everything weren’t perfectly. There’s too many unknowns on the road to recovery.
‘And it’s a bit arrogant to bring someone who isn’t available for the group. Then you’d be dropping him into maybe a quarter-final after eight weeks out and that would be really demanding.
‘Tough call. Kyle is a long way ahead of that and progressing really well. Kyle is a little bit different. He’s not back in full training yet but he’ll be available before the end of the group stage.’
And the Three Lions boss opened up on his decision to select one defender and not the other
James admitted this week he was left ‘devastated’ by his absence from the final England squad
Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold were selected as right-backs, while Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Eric Dier, Ben White and Conor Coady will contest the centre back spots.
And Southgate also discussed the inclusion of Walker’s club team-mate Kalvin Phillips, who made his return from injury with a 40-minute cameo against Chelsea in the League Cup on Wednesday.
He added: ‘Kalvin played so with him he’s free of injury. We are aware he’s not going to be able to play seven 90 minute-games. We’ll have to build him up but he’s available and free of injury. Kalvin is a super player and we feel that’s a risk worth taking.’
