Players Shocked
By Aston
May 9 2006
A trio of Town players are shocked that former Town striker Darren Bent was not named in the provisional England squad for this summers world cup.
Bent is the leading English goalscorer in the premiership and third overall, behind Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Thierry Henry yet he was not among the 4 strikers which Sven Goran Eriksson named in his squad, two of which are injured, one he has not seen in a competitive game and the fourth has scored less then half the number of goals Bent has since his move from Portman Road and that has puzzled three of his former Town team mates.
Matt Richards: “As you can imagine Darren is very disappointed and I'm gutted for him.
“I couldn't believe it when I found out and just don't understand why he is not going. For him not to even be on stand-by is puzzling.
“He has done enough to be in the squad. Only Thierry Henry and Ruud Van Nistelrooy have scored more than him in the Premiership, yet he doesn't figure - it is ridiculous.”
Jason De Vos: “I would say I'm surprised but after some of the decisions Eriksson has made over the years I shouldn't be really.
“He has chosen a lad who has never played in the Premiership, and two other strikers who are injured, and another who has hardly set the world alight with his goals for
“And he has left out Bent, who has scored more goals than Crouch, Owen and Walcott put together this season - it is mind-boggling.
“I'm an adopted Englishman, my son and daughter were born here, and I really want
Darren Currie: “Eriksson has said that selecting Aaron Lennon may have surprised a few people but he can explain that by saying Lennon is young, is quick and has had a very good season in the Premiership. Exactly like Darren Bent.
“To me, that shows that it is a case of getting in if your face fits.
“Benty has scored the third-highest amount of goals in the top flight. He has been Charlton's Player of the Year and will probably be talked about as a £8m to £10m transfer target during the summer. I just hope this doesn't damage Darren. He is a strong person but this will be devastating for him.”
Source: EADT
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