📂 Categoría: Football,World Cup | 📅 Fecha: 1782944272
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Wayne Rooney believes Kyle Walker should have been recalled for England after Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup.
The Three Lions are currently experiencing a crisis at right-back following injuries to both Livramento and Reece James.
Chelsea captain James entered the tournament as first-choice in the position, and started in the first two games, but has been ruled out until at least the last 16 with a hamstring problem.
Jarell Quansah then deputised in the role in England’s final group game against Panama, only to suffer a twisted ankle.
As a result, Djed Spence started at right-back for the Three Lions’ 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in the round of 32.
But the Tottenham defender, who usually plays left-back for his club, looked far from comfortable, and was substituted on 70 minutes.
Declan Rice then closed out the game at right-back and impressed in the unfamiliar position, as a late Harry Kane double saw Thomas Tuchel’s side squeeze through to the next round.
Rooney: Tuchel should have been ‘right on the phone’
With England facing a real conundrum at right-back heading into their round of 16 meeting with Mexico, national team hero Rooney believes manager Tuchel has missed a trick here.
Newcastle full-back Livramento, who would likely have deputised for James this summer, was ruled out of the tournament on the eve of England’s World Cup opener.
And Rooney has insisted that retired full-back Walker should have been contacted over a sensational return.
Appearing as a pundit for the BBC, Rooney said: “We’ve seen it before. It’s happened before where players come out of retirement.
“I think the minute Livramento got injured, I think he should have been right on the phone to Kyle Walker.
“Kyle is still more than good enough and more than capable of playing in this England team.
“I would have been on the phone to him saying, ‘Listen we need you here. Can you come out and help us?’
“That could really cost us [the right-back area]. I’m worried on that.”
While Rooney believes Tuchel should have tried to convinced Walker to perform a U-turn on his international retirement, this wouldn’t have been a decision for him just a few months ago.
The Burnley defender only called time on his England career in March, bringing an end to a memorable 14-year stint.
Walker won 96 caps for the Three Lions, scoring one goal, and was part of the England squad for five consecutive major tournaments between 2016 and 2024.
Those included their run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as back-to-back finals at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Alexander-Arnold omission blasted
Rooney wasn’t the only pundit to question Tuchel’s selections at right-back for this summer’s World Cup.
One of the most controversial calls heading into the tournament was the exclusion of Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
And talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara was quick to bring this up after victory over DR Congo, as he laid into Spence’s performance, and blasted Tuchel for leaving Alexander-Arnold at home.
O’Hara fumed on air: “Spence doesn’t want to cross the ball – it’s not his game. He’s athletic, he’ll defend well, it’s not his game.
“And all of a sudden, the best part of the game where we looked alright, was when Declan Rice went to right-back and Saka played right wing – because they had a connection.
“And if Saka tried to get to the byline, and it didn’t happen, it came back to Rice and Rice put the ball in the box.
“How have we not taken Trent? How? It’s going to go down as one of the worst World Cup squad picks ever, that Trent hasn’t gone.”
Wayne Rooney believes Kyle Walker should have been recalled for England after Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup.
The Three Lions are currently experiencing a crisis at right-back following injuries to both Livramento and Reece James.
Chelsea captain James entered the tournament as first-choice in the position, and started in the first two games, but has been ruled out until at least the last 16 with a hamstring problem.
Jarell Quansah then deputised in the role in England’s final group game against Panama, only to suffer a twisted ankle.
As a result, Djed Spence started at right-back for the Three Lions’ 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in the round of 32.
But the Tottenham defender, who usually plays left-back for his club, looked far from comfortable, and was substituted on 70 minutes.
Declan Rice then closed out the game at right-back and impressed in the unfamiliar position, as a late Harry Kane double saw Thomas Tuchel’s side squeeze through to the next round.
Rooney: Tuchel should have been ‘right on the phone’
With England facing a real conundrum at right-back heading into their round of 16 meeting with Mexico, national team hero Rooney believes manager Tuchel has missed a trick here.
Newcastle full-back Livramento, who would likely have deputised for James this summer, was ruled out of the tournament on the eve of England’s World Cup opener.
And Rooney has insisted that retired full-back Walker should have been contacted over a sensational return.
Appearing as a pundit for the BBC, Rooney said: “We’ve seen it before. It’s happened before where players come out of retirement.
“I think the minute Livramento got injured, I think he should have been right on the phone to Kyle Walker.
“Kyle is still more than good enough and more than capable of playing in this England team.
“I would have been on the phone to him saying, ‘Listen we need you here. Can you come out and help us?’
“That could really cost us [the right-back area]. I’m worried on that.”
While Rooney believes Tuchel should have tried to convinced Walker to perform a U-turn on his international retirement, this wouldn’t have been a decision for him just a few months ago.
The Burnley defender only called time on his England career in March, bringing an end to a memorable 14-year stint.
Walker won 96 caps for the Three Lions, scoring one goal, and was part of the England squad for five consecutive major tournaments between 2016 and 2024.
Those included their run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as back-to-back finals at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Alexander-Arnold omission blasted
Rooney wasn’t the only pundit to question Tuchel’s selections at right-back for this summer’s World Cup.
One of the most controversial calls heading into the tournament was the exclusion of Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
And talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara was quick to bring this up after victory over DR Congo, as he laid into Spence’s performance, and blasted Tuchel for leaving Alexander-Arnold at home.
O’Hara fumed on air: “Spence doesn’t want to cross the ball – it’s not his game. He’s athletic, he’ll defend well, it’s not his game.
“And all of a sudden, the best part of the game where we looked alright, was when Declan Rice went to right-back and Saka played right wing – because they had a connection.
“And if Saka tried to get to the byline, and it didn’t happen, it came back to Rice and Rice put the ball in the box.
“How have we not taken Trent? How? It’s going to go down as one of the worst World Cup squad picks ever, that Trent hasn’t gone.”
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- Este artículo cubre aspectos importantes sobre Football,World Cup
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📚 Información de la Fuente
| 📰 Publicación: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Martha Riley |
| 📅 Fecha Original: | 2026-07-01 21:55:00 |
| 🔗 Enlace: | Ver artículo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artículo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglés al español para facilitar su comprensión. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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