World Cup I can’t accept it – Roma chief slams Southgate over Abraham, Smalling’s snub. Director of Roma Tiago Pinto has criticized England manager Gareth Southgate for leaving out Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling from the Italian team.
Abraham was heavily favored to support up Harry Kane in Qatar, while Smalling had no chance of going despite England’s defenders’ inconsistent play.
Abraham’s recent lack of goals, according to Southgate, was the reason for his removal from the starting lineup.
Pinto, though, is unimpressed and questions the England manager’s judgment, wondering why Smalling should be selected above Harry Maguire, who regularly sits on the Manchester United bench.
Pinto told DAZN, “I cannot accept that individuals try to justify international call-ups with what is occurring at club level, both Roma and the representatives of other teams.
Smalling should start for England if Tammy isn’t in the team since he hasn’t scored in the previous month, for instance, but a man who was on the bench for his club yesterday got called up instead.
