Samuel's England Agony: Foden Fears, White Woes, and a Very Selective Greenwood Sermon
Martin Samuel critiques England's poor form against Japan, questioning Phil Foden and Ben White's futures under Thomas Tuchel, but faces backlash for his softer stance on Mason Greenwood compared to Ben White's issues. He defends Roberto De Zerbi's support for Greenwood amid Tottenham fan protests, drawing controversial parallels to Gary Lineker's mistake. The piece highlights media hypocrisy in redemption narratives.
Samuel's England Agony: Foden Fears, White Woes, and a Very Selective Greenwood Sermon
Picture this: you're nursing a pint after England's latest stinker against Japan. Not just any duff performance – a proper Tuesday night turkey that left Thomas Tuchel chewing over his World Cup puzzle like a dog with a bone. And into this gloom steps Martin Samuel from The Times, dropping bombshells that have fans scratching heads and raising eyebrows.
Three Lions' Post-Match Blues
England shipped a loss to Senegal recently, which apparently rang the death knell for a few careers under Tuchel's watch. Now, after another limp showing, Samuel's asking the big questions: Does Phil Foden deserve a spot post his anaemic display? And is Ben White worth the hassle after ditching the World Cup squad over reported beef with the coaching team?
Fair play, those are meaty debates. Foden's class is undeniable, but he's been ghosting games. White's a solid right-back, yet the drama lingers. Plenty for Tuchel to mull before Qatar – or wherever the next tournament lands.
But here's where it gets spicy. Samuel's quick to grill White's 'aggravation', yet his track record on thornier issues? Let's just say it's selective.
Double Standards on the Back Pages
Rewind to Mason Greenwood. Charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control dropped due to witness pullouts and new evidence – no conviction likely. Samuel, The Times' chief football scribe, has penned headlines like 'United's duty to help Greenwood face his future' and 'If jobs exist for the criminal class, why not Greenwood at United?'.
He even slipped in dodgy fake quotes from Erik ten Hag to push Greenwood's United return. Fast-forward, and Samuel's banging on about 'second chances' – four times in one piece! He champions Roberto De Zerbi's faith in redemption, slamming Tottenham fan groups (Women of the Lane, Proud Lilywhites, etc.) for kicking off over De Zerbi's hire.
De Zerbi, fresh on a £60m, five-year Spurs deal, signed Greenwood at Marseille. Called him his 'first player', treated him 'like a son', vowed to shield him. Samuel spins it as pro instinct. Fans see it as prioritising goals over gravity.
Lineker Lunge and Rehab Rhetoric
Samuel's coup de grâce? Equating Greenwood's grim 2022 audio leaks to Gary Lineker's daft antisemitic retweet blunder. Lineker got a last Match of the Day, career outweighing the slip. Greenwood? 'Humanity capable of change', insists Samuel, preaching societal reintegration.
Hang on – one's a social media gaffe with fallout; the other's alleged violence that turned stomachs. Conflating them feels like comparing a yellow to a straight red. And De Zerbi 'cancelled'? Bloke's on megabucks at Spurs!
Samuel nails it on one front: this is De Zerbi's call to back Greenwood's talent, not his messiah complex. But dismissing fan unease as cancel culture? That's the real pub row starter. England need fixing, Tuchel's got work – yet media double-takes on redemption tales distract from the pitch.
As The Independent flagged via OneFootball roots, Samuel's lens warps under scrutiny. Foden and White face the spotlight; Greenwood gets gospel. Football's brutal – second chances exist, but context is king. What's your take, lads? Pint's on me if Tuchel sorts this shower.
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