Wayne Rooney has voiced skepticism regarding Thomas Tuchel’s decision to include Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah in his England World Cup squad. The former captain pointed to recurring fitness issues among the defensive selections as a significant risk to the team’s success.
Reece James, who played in the opening group games against Croatia and Ghana, was sidelined for the victory over Panama with a hamstring injury. This latest setback continues a trend of health problems for the Chelsea defender, and he is expected to remain unavailable for the upcoming match against DR Congo. Rooney argued that James’s history of injuries made his selection predictable and problematic, suggesting that the manager should have been aware of the risks.
Following the injury to Tino Livramento, Tuchel drafted in Trevoh Chalobah, a move that also drew criticism from Rooney. The former Manchester United star expressed that the overall defensive balance was his primary worry, overshadowing other squad debates regarding players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. With Djed Spence expected to start in the next fixture, Rooney emphasized that defensive stability is paramount for England to progress through the knockout stages.
