ENGLAND fans were left thoroughly disappointed after Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite failed to make the Three Lions’ starting line-up against Belgium.
Gareth Southgate opted to go with a central defensive partnership of John Stones and Lewis Dunk for Tuesday night’s game at Wembley.
It meant Toffees man Branthwaite, 21, was snubbed for a second time in four days after failing to earn any minutes off the bench in the 1-0 loss to Brazil.
And he was made to feel even further down the pecking order in the 10th minute of the Belgium match when the injured Stones was replaced by Liverpool’s Joe Gomez.
The omission of Branthwaite saw supporters take to social media to vent their frustration.
One said: “Dunk playing instead of Branthwaite and Gomez is actual insanity.”
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Another added: “Would have been ideal to see stones and Branthwaite tonight.”
A third replied: “What is Southgate doing? I mean, really. Branthwaite has the best stats in the PL, is left footed, has looked class and is the future and he picks 33-year-old Dunk. Wtf?”
While a fourth responded: “Branthwaite should throw his tracksuit and trainers on and get the train home ready for Saturday.”
And a fifth said: “I must admit I was surprised when I saw the team. It seemed a game to give Branthwaite a start.”
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Branthwaite has impressed for Everton so far this season, starting 25 of their 28 Premier League games.
But it appears he is still some way behind other English centre-backs ahead of the Euros.
Stones, Maguire, Dunk, Gomez and Ezri Konsa all seem to be ahead of the young centre-half.
England’s final games before the Euros will come against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3 and Iceland on June 7.
They then kick-off the tournament against Serbia on June 16, before their other group stage matches against Denmark and Slovenia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
