"I was very surprised" - Wayne Rooney admits he was 'really shocked' by Chelsea star's omission from England's Euro 2024 squad
Wayne Rooney recently suggested that he was surprised by Chelsea star Ben Chilwell not making England's squad for Euro 2024. The Manchester United legend claimed that the absence of a left-footed player at left-back has hurt the Three Lions in the tournament.
Rooney said (via The Daily Mail):
"At the minute, it's Tripper or [Joe] Gomez, for me, who should play there. I was very surprised and really shocked that Ben Chilwell didn't get picked - just for the balance of having a left-footed player there.
"He plays at Chelsea and has played well for England in the past. He's a good left-back - he's been in tournaments as well - so I was really surprised he wasn't selected."
Luke Shaw is the only natural left-back selected in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the Euros. However, the Manchester United defender has been injured for an extended period and is currently training away from the team, hoping to get fit in time.
In his absence, Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier has played at the position for all three of England's group stage fixtures. However, fans have expressed disappointment with his performances as a serious lack of creative threat especially from the left flank has crippled the side. They have managed just two goals from their three games.
Chilwell didn't have a particularly memorable 2023-24 campaign with Chelsea. He was injured for about four months of the season and made 21 appearances, bagging just one assist. However, he did feature for the national side in two friendlies against Brazil and Belgium back in March. With no natural alternative to Shaw in the squad, his omission has proved to be puzzling.
Chelsea nearing finalisation for second deal of the summer: Reports
Chelsea are nearing completion of a deal for Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino. According to The Athletic, the clubs are set to agree on a price in the range of £17 million for the 19-year-old.
Anselmino profiles as a centre-back with the ability to play in midfield as well. The report claims that personal terms are not an issue, with the player set to sign a six-year deal until the summer of 2030. He is expected to join sister club Strasbourg on loan immediately.
It has been a busy period in the transfer market for Chelsea, with Anselmino their second completed signing. They began with a blockbuster €57 million deal to sign Brazilian wonderkid Willian Estevao from Palmeiras.
As per Fabrizio Romano, they are set to complete a €22.5 million signing of Aston Villa midfielder Omari Kellyman and a €6 million move for Barcelona teenage striker Marc Guiu.