Foden and Palmer to miss out on World Cup squad

Foden and Palmer to miss out on World Cup squad Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Phil Foden (left) has played in one World Cup with Cole Palmer yet to feature at the tournament By Sami Mokbel

Foden and Palmer to miss out on World Cup squad

A split picture of Phil Foden and Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Phil Foden (left) has played in one World Cup with Cole Palmer yet to feature at the tournament

By
Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent
  • Published

Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are set to miss out when Thomas Tuchel names his 26-man England squad on Friday for this summer's World Cup.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire will also be left out, with the 33-year-old saying he is "shocked and gutted" at the decision.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is set to be included - after helping his side win the Europa League on Wednesday - alongside Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who has scored 32 goals in 32 games in the Saudi Arabian league this season.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is set to miss out, despite being the top-scoring English player in the Premier League this season, alongside Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, on 14 goals.

Manchester City's Foden and Chelsea's Palmer - both attacking midfielders who can also play as forwards - have had inconsistent seasons for their respective clubs.

In a post on Instagram, Maguire confirmed: "I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had. I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best."

Maguire's Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw is also set to be omitted despite his impressive season.

Shaw was named in Tuchel's 55-man provisional squad and there had been a clamour for his inclusion.

But, with Newcastle's Dan Burn and Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly in line to be called up, Shaw is expected to miss out.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori are expected to be left out, though Arsenal winger Noni Madueke is expected to make the cut - joining club-mates Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

The omissions of Maguire, Tomori and Colwill mean Manchester City defender John Stones is set to be included, despite his injury-disrupted campaign.

Tuchel views Stones as a key player but has been concerned about the departing Manchester City man's fitness.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is another poised to miss out, but Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to keep his place in the squad after earning a recall for the previous friendlies.

There is an expectation that Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has been a mainstay under Tuchel, will keep his place.

The World Cup, which takes place across the US, Mexico and Canada, starts on 11 June.

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Foden has played 49 times for England but started only 22 Premier League games for City this season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across his 32 top-flight appearances.

Palmer has scored nine goals in 25 Premier League games during an injury-hit campaign for Chelsea, who are eighth in the Premier League after a disappointing season.

Speaking to BBC Sport last month, Maguire, who has played 67 times for England and scored seven goals, said he was "desperate" to go to the World Cup.

"I think it would be my last World Cup for my country. I've been to two, I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which just hurt a lot really. So I'm desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for," he said.

"Whether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on. I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don't think that's to question really."

England warm up for the tournament with friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

They then start their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June, before further group games against Ghana and Panama.

Related topics

  • Football
  • England Men's Football Team
  • FIFA World Cup
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