Michail Antonio has criticised Gareth Southgate for leaving teammate James Ward-Prowse out of the England squad for their matches against Italy and Australia.
James Ward-Prowse had a superb debut at West Ham, and Michail Antonio called England manager Gareth Southgate “embarrassing” for not selecting him.
In seven Premier League games since joining the Hammers from Southampton over the summer, Ward-Prowse has two goals and six assists, and Antonio thinks his new teammate should be recognised internationally. Although Ward-Prowse has 11 England caps, he hasn’t participated in a game for the team since last year.
Antonio has questioned why Ward-Prowse was left off of Southgate’s World Cup roster, given that players like Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips are still picked even though they don’t play consistently for their clubs. Antonio stated, “He’s taking the mick,” on the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
Wayne Rooney makes his debut and scores a one-cap marvel in England’s two XIs from their loss to Australia.
“James Ward-Prowse. How on earth is he not getting a call up. It’s embarrassing! It’s embarrassing. The stats he has, everything he’s been doing, he’s been playing week-in, week-out
– for years.
“I think that when you are playing at your best you should be rewarded and for me that is England. He has been unbelievable. I understand managers like to pick players they trust, but he has got players in there who are not even playing. I do not like that.”
Antonio also reflected on his own experiences with England, having been called up twice but never given his debut before deciding to represent Jamaica in 2021. “I felt powerless, and I couldn’t understand it,” Antonio said.
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“So, James Ward-Prowse has been unbelievable for us, and his stats speak for themself. I’m not talking just because he’s my team-mate. There are other players out there that are doing well, that should also get the call-up as well.
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