‘Knocking on the door’: Roy Hodgson thinks 29-year-old Everton man was so unlucky not to get World Cup call-up

Thu 10 November 2022 18:15, UK

Everton players are slowly finding out whether they’ll be spending the next month with their club or country.

The World Cup is just a couple of weeks away, with only one league match left before the season’s paused.

Gareth Southgate announced his 26-man roster today, with two Everton players selected.

Jordan Pickford will be going to his second World Cup as England’s first choice goalkeeper.

He’s been joined by on-loan defender Conor Coady, who has been a regular member of the England set-up.

Hodgson, however, believes that James Tarkowski was unlucky to miss out on a World Cup call-up.

The 29-year-old has been in fantastic form alongside Conor since arriving from Burnley in the summer.

The pair have quickly formed a strong partnership that’s been very hard to break down.

However, Tarkowski will now not be able to add to his two England caps in Qatar.

Tarkowski unlucky to miss out on World Cup – Hodgson

Hodgson was asked about Tarkowski after the squad was announced.

He compared him to Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and worried about the balance of the team if Tarkowski played.

“They are different players. Tarkowski is much more akin to Maguire, I would say that Coady is more akin to Stones,”

“It’s dangerous to compare players but if you allow me that licence.

“I’m not sure Maguire and Tarkowski would have given him the balance that he wants from two centre-backs.

“I think he was one who felt I’m knocking on the door here and have as much chance as my colleague playing alongside me.”

Tarkowski’s club form has not gone unnoticed this season, especially in his partnership with Coady.

Tarkowski may have been unlucky to miss out on this World Cup, and it’s unlikely he’ll still be in contention in four years’ time.

Lampard will be hoping he can utilise the month he’ll spend with Tarkowski while the World Cup is on.