England are used to the injuries of key players which often overshadow their preparations for major tournaments, but this time the huge number of injuries is a headache for manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Injured David Beckham in 2002 and Wayne Rooney in 2006, both in top form before playing at the World Cup, with England wanting to bring two very talented teams to the two tournaments in order to end the country’s long wait for the biggest prize in world football.
The two suffered the same injury, to the same bone of the foot, which means that every press conference during the preparation of the two tournaments revolved around the physical form of the star of each team.
And this time, with another talented English group preparing to end 56 years of agony, injuries are once again at the center, but this time on the number of key players and especially in the defense, who risk missing the tournament. .
Not long ago, it was discussed how Southgate would choose from the myriad of options at his disposal and who would be the best full-back to leave out of the 26-man squad.
But Southgate is thinking much more modestly and his goal is to fill seats on the plane to Qatar.
Chelsea’s Reece James had booked his spot on the right side of England’s five-a-side back but suffered a knee injury against AC Milan on 11 October, which caused him to miss eight weeks.
This period could cause him to miss the opening match of the England group against Iran on 21 November. But he hopes to reduce the time limit for his return.
He told The Sun: “I will try not to rule out my chances, the Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chances to return before the World Cup.” It depends on how I feel as tournament time approaches and how stable I am.
Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier toned down, meaning he could play for the team, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s unstable start with Liverpool left little room for maneuver in this position for the England manager.
Kyle Walker, his country’s right-back and full-back, was almost certain to start against Iran, but got injured and hasn’t played since the beginning of October.
On the left side, Chelsea winger Ben Chilwell limped out of the Dinamo Zagreb game last Wednesday.
Things no longer look rosy deep inside. For the three center-backs, who played against Italy in the Euro 2020 final last year, Walker was injured and John Stones has just returned to Manchester City and has made only six league appearances since the start. Harry Maguire rarely participates with Manchester United.
Maguire was a fixture throughout Southgate’s tenure but was sidelined at United and only started three league games this season. Whether they are out of action or physically rehabilitating, the current elements in Southgate’s defensive line seem fragile.
Rooney later made it clear that participating in the 2006 World Cup with an injury and playing in pain was a mistake.
The dilemma for Southgate is the question … Will he risk the defenders who have played so well in the past and are not 100 percent ready, or will he give others a chance?
