Former Palace player, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, was named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad yesterday for the upcoming fixtures against Bulgaria and Kosovo in September.
Palace fans took to Twitter following the announcement to voice outrage about the call up for the ex Palace academy player after his transfer to Manchester United this summer for £50 million.
Many were quick to criticise Southgate, a former Palace star himself, and fans questioned what Wan-Bissaka has done differently in his 3 appearances for United so far this season.
Incredible how Aaron has improved so much in a few months since moving to a top 6 side. @GarethSouthgate – really disappointed with on on this one. Never good enough when he played for the club that made you. We all know he was better than any RB in the country last season ????
— Lisa ???? (@Troomp) August 30, 2019
Aaron wan bissaka has been named for the England squad after playing three games for United. But didn't receive a call up for the 42 games he played for Palace. Imagine my shock. #cpfc
— CPFC Boiling Piss (@cpfcboiling) August 29, 2019
Even the iconic former Southampton striker, Matt Le Tissier, weighed in on Wan-Bissaka’s selection.
Is Wan Bissaka playing so much better this season that he deserves an England call up? Surely he was playing the same way for palace last season hence the move ????
— Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) August 29, 2019
Other were left seething at the young full back’s call up at called out the ‘big team bias’ among the national team selection process as players from the top 6 teams in England are favoured for international fixtures regardless of form. Even non-Palace fans highlighted how Wan Bissaka’s first call up is a prime example of this.
Wan-Bissaka wouldn’t have been called up if he was still at Palace. Big team bias and not based on form. Thought Southgate was doing well until last few squad selections! #englandsquad
— Ryan Hawkes (@rhawkes11) August 29, 2019
Wan-Bissaka in the England squad is a pure example of big team bias, should’ve been in at Palace
— Breezy (@chrisianbrown) August 29, 2019
Wan-Bissaka made his breakthrough appearance for Palace in February 2018 against Tottenham. He would go on to make 45 appearances for Palace in all competitions over 18 months and was voted player of the year for the 2018/19 season. It is no surprise that fans who watched the young starlet at Palace are so annoyed by his sudden inclusion in the current England squad.