Former Liverpool star Phil Thompson has blasted the online petition set up calling for the removal of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley from the England squad.
The 24-year-old was part of Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson’s 30-man squad for the midweek friendly game against Denmark at Wembley, which the hosts won 1-0.
Cleverley was an unused substitute but in the days leading up to the game found himself thrust further into the limelight by the internet campaign for him to be dropped, in light of poor performances at club level for the Red Devils.
Thompson, who played for and coached the champions’ bitter rivals Liverpool, criticised the petition, which was signed by around 10,000 people. Speaking on Sky Sports show Soccer Saturday, he said: “This guy has got a bit of experience, he is a good player, and whether you are 24, 19 or 30 you lose form and go through bad spells. “We have seen it happen and this lad is going through it at the moment, but nobody deserves to have a petition set up supporting their removal from the England squad. “Having a go at him does nobody any favours and I think it is absolutely deplorable. ”
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