Darren Anderton has expressed his frustration over Thomas Tuchel's decision to include Jordan Henderson in England's World Cup squad, suggesting he would be "pretty p***ed off" if he were Cole Palmer or Harry Maguire, both of whom missed out on selection.
Anderton Questions Henderson's Inclusion
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former Tottenham midfielder said: "If I wasn't going to the World Cup because he's 'good around the camp', I'd be pretty p***ed off." Henderson, who turns 36 on Wednesday, has been a consistent presence under Tuchel and helped Brentford secure a ninth-place finish in the Premier League. However, Anderton believes his selection comes at the expense of more deserving players.
Palmer's exclusion has raised eyebrows, despite an injury-hit season at Chelsea. Morgan Gibbs-White and Phil Foden are also notable omissions from the squad, which opens its World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday.
Henderson's Recent Career
Before joining Brentford last summer, Henderson spent two seasons at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia and Ajax, where his performances were unremarkable. His return to the Premier League was facilitated by Brentford boss Keith Andrews, who saw an opportunity to add experience to his side.
Anderton's Optimism for England
Despite his criticism, Anderton remains optimistic about England's chances, particularly with Harry Kane leading the line. "We have a really good chance," he said. "Harry is obviously just ridiculous. I hope that we play some expansive, entertaining football that means we see the best of Harry. The last two tournaments we haven't… the service has been nil."
Anderton, who earned 30 caps for England, will be in Arlington for the opening match against Croatia. He hopes to witness something special against a team that has been a contender at the last two World Cups.
Selection Battles Ahead
Tuchel's squad selection has sparked widespread interest, not only regarding Henderson but also the potential role of Jude Bellingham, who may compete with in-form Morgan Rogers for a starting spot. Anthony Gordon's battle for the left-wing position further highlights the depth of talent available to Tuchel.
With such strength in depth, Anderton believes England have the tools to end their 60-year wait for a major title. However, he acknowledges the difficulty for players watching from home, especially those omitted to accommodate Henderson's continued international career.
