Three Lions legend: Grealish will have to wait for England recall but Wharton should have been included

England icon Chris Waddle has been having his say on the squad that Thomas Tuchel has selected for forthcoming fixtures against Wales (friendly) and Latvia (World Cup qualifier) during a recent interview.

Beloved England icon Chris Waddle has told Jack Grealish to keep up his good club form if he is to have any chance of being included in the German tacticians World Cup squad. Waddle, who made 62 appearances for his country and appeared at the 1986 and 1990 World Cup’s, sung the praises of the on-loan Everton maverick but admitted that he is probably behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon in the pecking order for a place on England’s left wing.

Speaking to BestBettingSites.com after Tuchel announced his squad, Waddle said: “When I look at the squad, if Jack Grealish fits into Thomas Tuchel’s team the way he wants to play on the left wing, then he stands a chance. But you’ve got Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford both playing well and scoring. 

“If you bring Grealish in, do you need a third left winger? Is he better equipped than either Rashford or Gordon? I think he’s done really well at Everton, and his game has definitely picked up after he’s been getting game time. He’s more consistent, but at the moment I think he’s behind Gordon in the pecking order.”

Waddle wants to see Grealish playing in the middle

Waddle, who was England’s original joker in the pack, has been a big fan of Grealish and has long advocated for him to given an opportunity to play centrally. He continued by saying: “Thomas might also be wondering if Jack is really a winger. I thought he was better through the middle. There’s no doubt though, the move to Everton was brave and he made it work. He might be the one to step in if Gordon or Rashford get injured or lose form, then maybe Grealish comes in. There’s a lot of time before the World Cup squad is named.”

Palace pair should have been picked

Waddle did find it strange that Crystal Palace duo Adam Wharton and Tyrick Mitchell weren’t included in the squad. Palace have been on a phenomenal run and are the most improved team in the Premier League since Oliver Glasner walked into Selhurst Park. Wharton and Mitchell have been instrumental in Palace’s good form and Waddle thinks they deserve an opportunity with the senior squad.

Waddle said: “I think Adam Wharton should be in there, and Tyrick Mitchell too. I know Wharton got injured the other week. Cole Palmer is missing, but he was injured too. I think Ollie Watkins needs a chance to prove himself, and maybe Marcus Rashford should be given a shot to play up front. At a push, he can play through the middle. We have John Stones coming back too. I think we’re weak defensively, at centre-back. I think Marcus Guehi is a very good central defender and I can see why Liverpool tried to sign him. If you’re looking defensively, against good sides, we might get caught out.”

England play Wales at Wembley this evening.