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‘Nothing short of a disgrace’: fans react furiously at Gareth Southgate’s ‘criminal’ decision to choose Eric Dier and Harry Maguire over in-form Fikayo Tomori in his 26-man Qatar World Cup roster
Fans have reacted angrily after Gareth Southgate selected Harry Maguire and Eric Dier in his World Cup squad on Thursday.
Tottenham defender Dier has made several high-profile mistakes in recent weeks, while Manchester United captain Maguire is his club’s fourth-choice, having only started three Premier League games this season.
And fans quickly took to social media to comment on the squad, criticizing the inclusion of the centre-backs at the expense of players like Fikayo Tomori.
Elsewhere, Leicester’s James Maddison is the headline. He was praised by TV presenter Gary Lineker for forcing Southgate’s plans, while it was revealed he accidentally missed the manager’s call to get in.
Fans have reacted angrily to the inclusion of Eric Dier (above) in England’s World Cup squad
Dier and Harry Maguire (left) were named in boss Gareth Southgate (right) 26-man list
But Three Lions manager Southgate has been criticized on social media for certain decisions
Maguire, Dier, Manchester City pair John Stones and Kyle Walker, Arsenal player Ben White and Everton player Conor Coady are the six centre-backs named in the roster.
Stones in particular, and Walker – who have apparently proved his fitness as he recovers from injury – were pinned down to travel to Qatar, where White secured a spot following fine form for Premier League leader Arsenal.
But the inclusion of Dier, Maguire and even Coady for various viable alternatives such as AC Milan star Tomori and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has caused consternation among fans – who weren’t afraid to voice their feelings on Twitter.
Fans quickly took to social media to endorse the pair for Fikayo Tomori. to doubt
One said: ‘Eric Dier and Harry Maguire being singled out over Tomori is criminal #England.’
A second added: “Coady is good, but choosing Dier and Maguire over Tomori is bad.”
Another wrote: ‘Dier and Maguire on Tomori and Rashford on Toney, is nothing short of a disgrace. The only positive is that Maddison made it. #SouthgateOut.’
Others suggested Marc Guehi and Chris Smalling should have beaten the duo
Someone tweeted: ‘So you tell me Tomori isn’t coming in about Dier, Coady or Maguire…cmon man lol.’
A fifth said: ‘Even Rob Holding had to be on the plane because he’s much better than Dier and Maguire’, followed by a crying emoji.
Another concluded: ‘Maguire, coady and animal going to the World Cup for Tomori, Guehi and even getting smaller is why I don’t trust this country will succeed at anything.’