Fans baffled with two of Gareth Southgate's England squad decisions

Gareth Southgate has named his England squad for upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier but two decisions have caused a stir amongst fans.

The Three Lions return to action for the first time since the World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in December, travelling to play Euro 2020 winners Italy in Naples on March 23 before hosting Ukraine at Wembley three days later.

Southgate had some tough decisions to make as usual and included both Kyle Walker and Ivan Toney amid their ongoing off the field issues.

Conor Coady, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Raheem Sterling were all left out, while Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Marc Guehi have all come back into the fold.

However a huge talking point was the exclusion of Ben White, who has been a consistent performer for Premier League leaders Arsenal at right-back.

Explaining his omission, Southgate said: "With Ben White, it's similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold, really.

"The three boys who are in as right full-backs, we've got them just ahead of those two, we're blessed in that position with the depth of talent.

"It's the hardest position to pick, albeit it's never straightforward criteria and shifting around a little bit on form."

But fans weren't quite in agreement with Southgate's call and believe White, who left England's World Cup campaign early, should have been in the mix.

One wrote: "From an England perspective, real shame we have a manager who won't be able to utilise the brilliant talent we have in Ben White."

Another said: "I guess that's bridges burned for Ben White, because he's still better than a few names here."

A third opined: "Ben White been the most consistent English RB and doesn't get selected."

A fourth weighed in: "Favoritism is why England will never win anything. Reece James hasn’t done anything this season to be selected ahead of Ben White."

There was similar frustration over Southgate's decision to call up Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The former Leeds man has played just 56 minutes of Premier League football since signing for Pep Guardiola's side in a £42 million deal and yet still gets picked.

Image: PA

A user vented: "Kalvin Phillips SHOULD NOT BE IN THE ENGLAND SQUAD. IT IS AN INSULT TO ALL ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS. He is a nice guy, but he is NOT playing."

Another tweeted: "Kalvin Phillips getting in that England squad sums it up really."

A third weighed in: "It's a new qualifying campaign so no excuses to stick with players previously used. Kalvin Phillips has played 56 mins of football all season and Solly March is in the form of his life so guess which one is in the England team."