Gary Neville was enjoying winning an argument with Jack Wilshere over England’s team selection against Germany on Tuesday, although the former Arsenal man was not ready to concede defeat.
The Three Lions beat Germany 2-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2020 at Wembley thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.
Gareth Southgate fielded a 3-4-3 formation for the first time in the tournament, something that Neville had recommended on Twitter five days before the game was played.
In fact Neville named almost the exact starting XI, only picking Reece James at right wing-back, while Southgate opted for Kieran Trippier in that position.
Far from impressed with Neville’s suggested team, Wilshere replied: ‘No [Jack] Grealish or [Phil] Foden. England’s most talented/creative…
‘At least one has to play! Probably Grealish to help us retain ball and carry it up the pitch. Come on Gaz.’
No Grealish or Foden 🤔😲
England’s most talented/creative…
Atleast one has to play! Probably Grealish to help us retain ball and carry it up the pitch. Come on Gaz 🤨 https://t.co/ERNvBOwrhS— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) June 24, 2021
This criticism didn’t go unnoticed by the former Manchester United and England defender who, after watching England win the game, reminded Wilshere of their previous interaction.
Neville wrote: ‘Hey @JackWilshere how did our team selection and system competition go.’
Wilshere was not quite ready to accept that Neville was right, though, saying that Jack Grealish was behind England’s two late goals in the match and his claim that he should have started was right all along.
‘Grealish changed the game…he was in my team mate,’ the 29-year-old replied.
Next up for England is Ukraine in the quarter-finals on Saturday night in Rome and it is yet to be seen whether Southgate will revert back to the 4-3-3 he played in the opening three games or stick with the 3-4-3 he deployed against Germany.
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