Redknapp claims Brazil and Spurs star Richarlison wouldn’t get into the England squad over Wilson

Joe Williams
Brazil forward Richarlison looks unhappy

Harry Redknapp doubts Tottenham and Brazil striker Richarlison would get into Gareth Southgate’s England squad if he was English.

The 25-year-old is in Qatar with the rest of the Brazil squad ahead of the World Cup after contributing two goals and two assists in 14 matches in all competitions for Spurs this campaign.

Richarlison only recently returned from an injury – which kept him out for almost a month – to play against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United ahead of the World Cup break.

Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo, Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Antony, Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha are amongst the attacking options at Tite’s disposal when Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign against Serbia on Thursday,

But former Tottenham and West Ham manager Redknapp wouldn’t swap England’s attacking stars for Brazil’s and doubts Richarlison would even get into the Three Lions’ squad.

Redknapp wrote in The Sun: “I feel with the likes of Harry, Jack, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka buzzing around —  not to mention Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford — we have some fantastic attackers.

“Everyone goes on about Brazil’s forwards but look at our stars and it’s amazing.

“Spurs’ Richarlison is in Qatar and might even be in Brazil’s team but I honestly don’t think he’d get in the England squad.

“He’s decent enough but I really don’t see him as any better than Callum Wilson, and certainly nowhere near Kane’s class. And there are a couple of others I’d probably have ahead of him as well.

“Because he’s Brazilian, everyone raves about him but I’m telling you our options are just as good.

“I only hope they prove it this time, because once we’re out of the group — and we will be, there’s not the slightest doubt about that —  I would fancy England against any team in a one-off match.

“Maybe we wouldn’t win nine times out of ten but there’s certainly no side we should be scared of.

“It does come down to the luck of the draw and the path you get through the tournament — but why shouldn’t it be England?

“I’d love to think this is our time again but if not I’ve a funny feeling it could be the Lionel Messi show.

“I just have a hunch he could take the World Cup by storm and — if it is not England — I’d probably just about go for Argentina.

“But that’s only if it isn’t England and hopefully this time it will be as we’ve waited long enough!”

READ MORE: Here we go: F365’s World Cup predictions foresee glory for Brazil and last-eight exit for England