Furious Manchester City supporters have quite rightly expressed their anger at Roy Hodgson after it emerged that Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho had been overlooked by the England manager in his 26-man preliminary squad for Euro 2016.
To make matters worse, Hodgson named Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford as one of his five forwards – despite his measly tally of just four Premier League goals this term.
Iheanacho has scored double Rashford’s amount in his league appearances this season, adding a further six goals for City in their FA Cup and League Cup campaigns.
Speaking in a press conference which followed the squad announcement, Hodgson failed to make clear his reasons for not selecting City’s Nigerian striker in the England squad – opting instead to shower 18-year-old Rashford in praise.
“Marcus Rashford is one of the contenders,” Hodgson said. “Competition is strong and he deserves to be selected for the main squad but I am pleased someone who has had an outstanding end to the season has a great future. He will have the chance to knock someone off their perch.”
Unsurprisingly, City supporters were criticising the utterly ridiculous decision within minutes of the squad being announced:
Rashford makes 26 man list for England while Iheanacho snubbed, Iheanacho > Rashford though 🐸☕️
— J (@Matamatically) May 16, 2016
Can't believe Iheanacho hasn't made that squad!!
— Wilson (@willy114) May 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/DomCollins91/status/732156025881657344
@marksaggers @talksport would have had Iheanacho in there but Roy doesn't seem to agree, love to hear yours and Stan's opinion tonight! x
— Joe Medcalf (@JoeMedcalf) May 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/DanJ_96/status/732154019691569153
https://twitter.com/tomchuggy/status/732152678013382656
Cant believe rashford got in ahead of iheanacho
— Fub (@fubthethird) May 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/dburne/status/732151222078164993
Hahaha, Rashford in the 26 man England squad but no Iheanacho, Wes Morgan or Pickford. Good lord, Roy. You fool.
— Rhys Clough (@rhysclough) May 16, 2016
The squad announcement also confirmed that Leicester captain Wes Morgan would not be boarding the England plane to France. The defender’s performances at the heart of the Leicester defence had recently prompted Harry Redknapp – a man once tipped to be England manager – to urge Hodgson to consider Morgan for the national team.
