Thomas Tuchel learned the ultimate West Ham lesson the hard way after his big Arsenal call flopped spectacularly as England crashed out of the World Cup to Argentina.
Celebrity West Ham fan Danny Dyer lambasted Thomas Tuchel for choosing Gunners duo Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka ahead of Jarrod Bowen for England’s World Cup squad.
Dyer said he believed the decision would come back to bit the German given Saka was clearly carrying an injury from the tail end of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and the fact Bowen is known for his outstanding end product.
Dyer was certainly not alone in his thinking, with many fans – not just of West Ham – in agreement.
Tuchel learns West Ham lesson the hard way
Bowen had 20 Premier League goal contributions for a relegated West Ham side last season compared to Madueke’s four for champions Arsenal.
While Saka is clearly a class operator, he too had eight less goal contributions than Hammers captain Bowen.
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Madueke was widely criticised for his performances as Tuchel started him ahead of half-fit Gunners teammate Saka until both were left on the bench for England’s World Cup semi-final surrender to Argentina.
At 1-0 up and in control, Tuchel went ultra defensive with nearly 40 minutes on the clock, leaving no attacking outlet as the Three Lions conceded two late goals to lose 2-1.
Tuchel learnt his West Ham lesson the hard way after his big Arsenal call flop.
Everyone knows England can’t do anything at a major tournament without a West Ham influence.
Yes rival fans may get sick of hearing ‘West Ham won the World Cup in 1966’ but until another England team surpasses that achievement it remains a statement every Hammer will proudly refer to.
Especially when there has been an injustice like Tuchel leaving out Bowen after years showing he is one of the top English players in the Premier League.
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The Hammers talisman would have been a much better option than Madueke and a half-fit Saka at this World Cup.
When England were looking to keep things tight at 1-0, Bowen – with his insatiable workrate for the team – would have been the perfect solution to bring on.
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Bowen would have given Argentina something to worry about going the other way while helping nullify their attack at the other end.
The West Ham man would have relished coming on against a well past it 33-year-old Nicolás Tagliafico at left-back – a player West Ham actually turned down on a free when he left Ajax, and that was four years ago.
Like all the others Tuchel came in declaring he would select players in form regardless of their club’s status.
But in the end he was just like all the others too as the German left out Bowen and a number of others for no logical reason.
And he paid the price as England crashed out with the finger of blame pointing squarely at him.
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