Thursday 2 November 2017 16:44, UK
Charlie Nicholas believes Gareth Southgate has made a mistake in failing to call Jack Wilshere up to his latest England squad.
Wilshere made his first Premier League appearance this season as a 77th-minute substitute at Everton last Sunday but has featured in all of the Gunners' Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures.
Soccer Saturday pundit Nicholas thinks Southgate should have used the forthcoming friendlies with Germany and Brazil to reintroduce the injury-ravaged midfielder into the squad.
"Are Harry Winks, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jordan Henderson or Eric Dier better players than Wilshere? Absolutely not," Nicholas told Sky Sports.
"It isn't about patting somebody on the back and saying well done for playing well, it is about getting a squad ready for a major tournament.
"Two years ago we were saying he was the future. It's not about the future now and when you look at England's dull and bland midfield then he offers you something.
"If Raheem Sterling can take his Manchester City form into playing for his country, Adam Lallana gets fit and Wilshere comes in along with Dele Alli and Harry Kane then you suddenly go wow, that is an exciting team.
"With Henderson and Dier in there you are just relying on Alli and Kane to do what they are doing for Spurs, but it doesn't work like that in international football.
"That team is boring and bland and nearly lost to Scotland. You have to give talent an opportunity rather than block it. I don't think he dares to pick creative players and this decision shows that."
Nicholas also believes the timing was perfect to introduce Wilshere into the group to ensure he can make an impact in Russia in the summer.
He added: "Everybody knows what everybody else is doing so why not feed Wilshere in? You need to introduce him into the system with a new manager if he's going to really contribute to the World Cup.
"These are two friendlies so what have you got to lose about putting him in with Winks and Henderson. What happens if they get two or three injuries, then he won't be ready.
"I genuinely don't understand why you wouldn't introduce him and now the questions will come as to whether Southgate really fancies him.
"It's going to be February or March for him to have another chance and that is very late to be working him into your team."
