Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has voiced strong criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, specifically targeting Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. The Dutch legend believes both Arsenal players are undeserving of their spots and has proposed a clear alternative.
Speaking to Aceodds.com, Van der Vaart did not hold back his opinions. ‘Looking at the squad, I see Eze and Madueke as overvalued. Madueke isn’t even a regular starter for Arsenal, and Eze only gets occasional minutes. They benefit from Arsenal’s overall strength, but individually, they don’t justify their inclusion,’ he stated.
The statistics this season show Eze started 36 of 52 matches for the Gunners, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. Madueke, meanwhile, netted eight goals and assisted four times in 43 appearances, with 27 starts. Despite these numbers, Van der Vaart remains unimpressed.
He reserved his highest praise for Cole Palmer, who was surprisingly omitted from England’s roster. ‘Palmer is a phenomenal talent. Even in the Netherlands, we constantly talk about his potential. He always delivers for Chelsea, so when I see the squad, I ask: Why isn’t he there? It’s simply baffling to me,’ Van der Vaart remarked.
Palmer recorded 11 goals and three assists in 34 outings for Chelsea last season, though he has only two goals and one assist in 14 England appearances. The 2026 World Cup will proceed without him, a decision Van der Vaart finds incomprehensible.
Van der Vaart acknowledged Madueke’s talent from his PSV days but noted that this season hasn’t been kind to either player. ‘They’ve contributed some, but not enough to be automatic picks for a World Cup squad,’ he concluded.