President Bola Tinubu has said that the delivery of road infrastructure across Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was fortifying the area […]
Month: June 2026
Etsu Kwali lauds Tinubu, Wike over new Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji road
The Etsu Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, has celebrated the newly constructed Gomani – Dafa – Yangoji Road, in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital […]
FUT Minna students shut campus over alleged robbery killing, rising insecurity
Stidents of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, on Tuesday shut down the campus and blocked the Minna-Bida Road following the alleged killing of a student […]
FG plans to scrap JSS–SSS separation policy
The Federal Government has announced plans to end the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), saying it has contributed to […]
Michael Sparkolity Releases ‘Wakirike My Home’
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – Michael Sparkolity Reconnects With Roots in a Powerful Afrosounds Tribute to Okrika, Ogu-Bolo and Port Harcourt Roots The Okrika-born artist […]
Data gaps hampering Nigeria’s agric productivity, experts say
Inadequate and timely agricultural data is hampering Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food security quest. Experts who spoke at the ‘Nigeria
read more Data gaps hampering Nigeria’s agric productivity, experts say
Police raid hideout of kidnapping syndicate in FCT- Nasarawa, recover arms, livestock
The Nigeria Police have raided the hideout of a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of abductions and killings along the Federal Capital Territory, […]
Court remands three over alleged diversion of govt mosquito nets
The Osun State Police Command has disclosed that three suspects have been remanded in a correctional centre after being arraigned over the alleged diversion and […]
Gunmen storm mining site, gun down three workers in Plateau
Unidentified gunmen on Tuesday attacked a mining site in Nyango, Gyel District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing three and injuring two […]
World Cup: ‘You can’t rely on them’ – Rooney questions Tuchel for calling up two Chelsea stars
Former England footballer Wayne Rooney has expressed his concerns regarding Thomas Tuchel’s choice to include Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah in England’s World Cup squad, highlighting the defensive options as his primary concern for the tournament.
James was selected when Tuchel announced his 26-man squad last month and participated in every minute of England’s initial Group L matches against Croatia and Ghana.
However, James had to sit out the Three Lions’ 2-0 win over Panama due to a hamstring injury, which adds to a series of injuries that the Chelsea captain has faced in recent years.
The 26-year-old right-back is also expected to miss the upcoming round of 32 match against DR Congo, raising concerns about his fitness for a potential return in the later stages of the tournament, should Tuchel’s team advance.
Before England’s campaign commenced, Tuchel also lost Tino Livramento to injury, leading to Chalobah’s call-up to replace the versatile Newcastle full-back.
Tottenham’s Djed Spence is anticipated to start on the right side of England’s defense tomorrow evening, in a back-four that may include Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Nico O’Reilly.
“Are you surprised that Reece James is injured? That was a concern with the squad he picked,” Rooney, the former England and Manchester United captain, remarked on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show.
“You have Reece James, who is unreliable, John Stones, who is also unreliable, and Tino Livramento was injured prior to the tournament.
“The unexpected choice was Trevoh Chalobah being brought in when Livramento was ruled out. I believe having a balance with Luke Shaw or Lewis Hall is essential…
“The issue with the last match, whether he will do it tomorrow [against DR Congo], is that if Djed Spence is there, he must be played at right-back. I don’t think Jarell Quansah performed well.
“So the defence was a big worry for me, more so than Phil Foden and Cole Palmer not going. I think the defence, just in terms of reliability, was a concern.”
For Rooney, it was “impossible’ that James was ever going to be reliable for the entirety of England’s campaign.
“Reece James is a good player but we knew before the tournament that you cannot rely on him. He hasn’t been reliable for the last two years,” he added.
“It would be interesting to look at [James’ injury record] when Thomas Tuchel was at Chelsea.
“I think everyone knew that was the situation and with the John Stones situation.”
World Cup: ‘You can’t rely on them’ – Rooney questions Tuchel for calling up two Chelsea stars
