Are we seeing anti – West Ham bias again in action in the England Selection process, I wonder.
Especially in the context of this weekend’s withdrawals from the squad, I am amazed that Jarrod Bowen didn’t get a late call up: Three England choices, Morgan Gibbs-White, Kobbie Mainoo and Ezri Konsa, all pulled out injured. Lee Carsley decides he can cope with his 22 man squad and doesn’t pick up the ‘phone to Bowen. This is spite of Bowen announcing a return to form with a man-of-the-match level performance on Saturday.
Remembering also Harry Kane’s fitness is in doubt -(with tests being run at present I hear,) it seems bizarre not to call upon the Hammers Captain as there are two games in close succession.
And as I listened to Gabby Agbonlahor ripping into Lee Carsley on Talk Sport regarding Bowen’s omission, it got me thinking – how come Aaron Wan-Bissaka, firstly, and Max Kilman secondly don’t get a look-in ?
Wan-Bissaka has been absolutely magnificent for West Ham this season and I don’t believe there is a better Premier League right back available.
Max Kilman – well, maybe there are others equal to the task, but surely he has to be ‘close’?
I find it hard to understand. Maybe after watching England’s game against Greece on Thursday night I’ll be forced to reconsider or admit that the right back and centre back choices Carsley puts out at Wembley are far and away the best in the country. If so, I’ll admit it.
If however the chosen players ‘just happen to play for one of the big six’ – more fashionable clubs than West Ham United – and fail to excel – then I’ll be back on the soap box come Friday morning.