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Wayne Rooney ‘very surprised and really shocked’ Champions League winner missed Euro 2024, it cost him dearly

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Wayne Rooney ‘very surprised and really shocked’ Champions League winner missed Euro 2024, it cost him dearly

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney admitted he was “really shocked” that a Champions League-winning player was not included in England’s 26-man Euro 2024 squad.

England are through to the knockout stages of this summer’s Euros and the Three Lions will face Slovakia in the round of 16 on Sunday.

However, the Three Lions were unimpressed at the UEFA tournament, despite finishing two points clear of Denmark at the top of Group C.

England claimed a 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening Group C match, with Gareth Southgate’s men clinging on to all three points.

However, the Three Lions were held to a 1-1 draw against Denmark, although they took the lead through England captain Harry Kane.

Gareth Southgate’s side were toothless in their lackluster performance on Tuesday night against Slovenia, with England playing out a disappointing 0-0 draw.

READ MORE: Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney singles out Euro 2024 star who ‘looks very frustrated’ he hasn’t ‘heard about it’

Former England player Wayne Rooney during the international friendly match between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium on June 7, 2024 in London...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images

Rooney baffled by England decision

Wayne Rooney has offered his two cents for Euro 2024 in Germany after being included in BBC Sport’s list of pundits for the competition.

The Manchester United and England legend admitted he was baffled by Gareth Southgate’s decision not to include Ben Chilwell in the Three Lions squad.

Ben Chilwell made just 21 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season, amid an injury-plagued campaign with his club.

However, the 27-year-old Chelsea player is a natural left-back and would have provided important back-up cover for United and England defender Luke Shaw.

“I was very surprised and really shocked that Ben Chilwell wasn’t picked just for the fact of having a left-footed player there,” Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast.

“You talk about Ben Chilwell who plays at Chelsea and he has played well for England in the past.

“Are you playing Tripper or (Joe) Gomez there? Are you bringing in Kyle Walker?

“There are so many imbalances in the team. Phil Foden, should he play on the left, or on the right, or in 10? There are so many questions about this.

READ MORE: Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney claims former England star was the most ‘annoying’ member of the Three Lions camp

Chilwell snubs it costs Shaw dearly

Southgate made the risky decision to include Shaw in his 26-man England squad, despite the United star recovering from injury.

Shaw was absent from the second half of United’s 2023-24 campaign due to injury and has embarked on a race to return to full fitness for the Euros.

Ben Chilwell could have stepped in in the absence of Shaw, who is England’s only specialist left-back in the Euro 2024 squad.

Southgate’s costly decision to snub Chilwell led to Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier playing at left-back for all three Group C matches for England.

Shaw had been undergoing an individual training programme at the Three Lions camp after joining his England team-mates in Germany.

However, the 28-year-old has failed to make a single Euro appearance so far and Southgate suffered a heavy blow on the left side of the England flank.

Shaw returned to full England training this week, but it remains to be seen whether United’s left-back will be ready for the round of 16 clash against Slovakia.

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