England fans question selection of ‘injury prone’ Newcastle striker Callum Wilson over Brentford ‘penalty specialist’ Ivan Toney in the Three Lions’ 26-man World Cup squad
A vocal section of England fans have questioned why Newcastle striker Callum Wilson has been picked over Brentford’s Ivan Toney to head off to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Southgate has officially announced his 26-man squad ahead of the upcoming tournament in Qatar, which begins for them against Iran on November 21.
Wilson, Conor Gallagher, Conor Coady and James Maddison are perhaps surprise inclusions in the 26-man list for the Qatar tournament which begins next weekend.
The former Bournemouth striker will act as a deputy to Three Lions captain Harry Kane while both Toney and Roma striker Tammy Abraham are two of the bigger name players that have been overlooked.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson (right) has been selected over Brentford’s Ivan Toney (left)
Gareth Southgate has named his official 26-man squad for the World Cup starting in November
The Magpies striker makes up a forward line that includes the likes Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Maddison, who the boss revealed that he decided to pick two weeks ago.
Maddison proved to be the headline name from the squad announcement and the Foxes star was praised by TV host Gary Lineker for forcing his way into Southgate’s plans, while it was revealed he accidentally missed the manager’s phone call about making it in.
Wilson appeared to be more of a surprise inclusion, although perhaps he shouldn’t have been, given his terrific form so far this season. He has scored six goals in 10 matches to help the Magpies, who currently sit third in the Premier League.
Some fans, however, took to social media to slam Southgate’s decision to pick Wilson over Toney in his squad.
One fan said: ‘Mistake England always make Callum Wilson is a premier league player but lacks real technical ability and against the beater side will be easy marked out, Abraham and Toney offer something different, another disappointingly squad’
A second simply agreed: ‘Wilson over Toney is so stupid.
A third posted: ‘Struggling to understand how an injury-prone Callum Wilson is in over a penalty specialist in Ivan Toney.’
A fourth tweeted: ‘Callum Wilson over Ivan Toney could genuinely be the worst thing I’ve ever seen.
Another added: ‘Toney is much better than Wilson.’
Some Three Lions supporters have argued back that Wilson definitely deserved his call-up to the national team heading off to Qatar.
One said: ‘Callum Wilson deserved the call up quality strike.
A second posted: ‘Buzzing for Callum Wilson’s England call up! There is no doubt that if he had been fit over the years it wouldn’t of even been a debate! Well deserved.
Another added: ‘Rather Callum Wilson than Toney.’