Everton’s defensive duo Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka were both left out of Roy Hodgson’s 23-man England squad, which was announced on Monday morning.
Baines was always unlikely to be selected due to a combination of his own injury worries and the good form shown by both Ryan Bertrand and Danny Rose.
Many pundits expected Jagielka to be selected if fit, and despite seemingly winning the race to be injury-free, the 33-year-old was left out after Hodgson decided to take just three centre-backs; Chris Smalling Gary Cahill and John Stones, with Spurs midfielder Eric Dier seemingly the fourth choice option if needed.
When asked why he’d left out the Everton duo, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, Hodgson said:
Leighton Baines hasn’t played for the last year. They’re players I respect and admire, but you have to make a decision. I’ve decided we’d rob Peter to pay Paul, in the sense of taking only seven defenders, and unfortunately that’s gone over Phil (Jagielka). It was a tough conversation but I’m glad to have spoken to him.
As well as Stones, another Everton player, Ross Barkley, will be part of the England squad as they begin their preparations for the summer tournament.
Three players will be left out when Hodgson reduces the squad to 23 men by the end of May.
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