Football

World Cup 2022: Pundit says centre-backs ‘don’t like playing against’ England forward

World Cup 2022: Pundit says centre-backs ‘don’t like playing against’ England forward

Alan Shearer says centre-backs “don’t like playing against” England striker Callum Wilson.

As reported by The Shields Gazette, the pundit believes Wilson is a real threat in and around the box.

A member of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man World Cup squad, Wilson entered the opening fixture against Iran in the 75th minute. He provided the final assist in the 6-2 win, unselfishly setting up fellow forward Jack Grealish.

Defenders ‘don’t like playing against’ England striker

Wilson has been in fine form this season despite missing five successive Premier League matches through a hamstring injury.

And while former Newcastle and England striker Shearer believes Newcastle must accept defeat in Wilson’s injury struggles, the forward remains a very dangerous player for club and country.

“You have to accept that he’s probably going to miss a third of a season [due to injury] which is unfortunate because of what he gives the team,” said Shearer.

“He can run in behind, he gives a real threat in the 18-yard box and he doesn’t give an easy time to the centre-halves, they don’t like playing against him which is important as well.”

Harry Kane remains number one forward

Former England striker Shearer did, however, admit that captain Harry Kane remains the most important player for the Three Lions in the final third.

Kane picked up an ankle injury in the victory against Iran, but has since recovered and looks set to be fit for tonight’s meeting with the USA.

Newcastle striker Wilson made the final cut alongside Marcus Rashford and Kane, edging out the likes of Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham in Southgate’s thinking.

But Shearer believes Wilson will only get minutes at the World Cup in certain circumstances.

“Whether he can play a big part depends on two things,” said Shearer. “Whether England are struggling and he’s the one that is going to have to come on and try and do something.

“If Harry stays fit and scores goals then the likelihood is he won’t play a huge part, which we understand.

“Harry is England’s talisman, our leader and if they’re going to go far in this tournament, he has to be in and amongst the Golden Boot winners, getting about six or seven goals.

“I don’t think [Southgate] will play two up front so he’ll only come on if the game is won [like it was versus Iran] or if we need to try and win the game somehow. I like him a lot and he’s great for Newcastle.”

England

England striker enjoying club football

Despite his seemingly constant injury struggles, Wilson has been in fine form for Newcastle this season. He has six goals from his 11 league appearances.

The striker has been key in the Magpies’ superb start to the campaign. They sit third after 15 games, just two points behind Manchester City in second.

Wilson now has five England caps, scoring his only goal in that time against the USA in a 3-0 friendly win in November 2018.

His Newcastle teammates Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier are also in the England 2022 World Cup squad, with Trippier playing the entire 90 minutes against Iran.


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