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Football

16th May 2018

There has been furious fan backlash against one of Southgate’s biggest calls

Fans are unhappy about one particular choice

Wayne Farry

The squad has been confirmed

Gareth Southgate has finally named his England squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia, and in truth there were few surprises in the group of players that he named.

Nick Pope rightfully deposed the out of form Joe Hart, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek was named in place of the Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

32-year-old winger-turned-full-back Ashley Young was also named in the squad, as was central midfielder-turned-full-back Fabian Delph.

Perhaps the most surprising and certainly the most divisive selection came in the form of Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck, a player who has scored an impressive 15 goals in 37 England caps, but one who has scored just five goals in 28 appearances for his club this season.

His selection has provoked what one might diplomatically describe as a “heated” response, with many – including a host of Arsenal fans – claiming that the former Manchester United man simply isn’t deserving of a World Cup place, especially with the likes of Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon left out.