Roma director Tiago Pinto ‘cannot accept’ Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Tammy Abraham out of England’s World Cup squad in Qatar, insisting Chris Smalling ‘ought to be starting too.’
The Giallorossi pair were snubbed by Southgate, along with Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, as the Three Lions stick with their favourites, even if off form recently.
“I cannot accept, both Roma and the representatives of other clubs, that people try to justify international call-ups with what is happening at club level,” Tiago Pinto told DAZN.
“If Tammy is not part of the England squad because he didn’t score over the last month, for example, but they called up a player who was on the bench for his club yesterday, then in that case Smalling ought to be a starter for England.”
Abraham had a stunning breakthrough campaign at Roma after his transfer from Chelsea, scoring 27 goals in 53 competitive games and winning the Conference League under Jose Mourinho.
This term has been less impressive with four goals and two assists in 20 matches between Serie A and the Europa League, but he did break his drought midweek against Sassuolo.
“I want to say we are satisfied with Tammy, but always with the perspective that he can still improve, and I am sure he will do.
“We’re pleased to see our players go to the World Cup, because it is important for them, but I cannot accept that after a call-up there is talk about the way these lads work at Roma as justification for a personal choice.”
