Mauricio Pochettino has been told that it’s a no-brainer for Haji Wright to replace Patrick Agyemang in his World Cup squad.
Coventry City’s Wright has scored 16 Championship goals to help fire Frank Lampard’s side to the brink of Premier League promotion.
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However, a groin injury saw him miss out on the USMNT squad for the March international break at a pivotal point in the season.
In his absence, Agyemang, Florian Balogun, and Ricardo Pepi all staked their claim for Pochettino’s No. 9 shirt this summer.
Haji Wright ‘a no-brainer’
Derby County striker Agyemang has since been confirmed to miss the World Cup after picking up a serious Achilles injury earlier this month.
Bradley Wright-Phillips has told eSPORTY, as per Covers.com’s World Cup betting site, that the injury has opened the door for Wright.
“If I’m Haji Wright, and what’s he got, like 16 goals in the Champ? He’s doing really well. I was surprised he wasn’t in the last squad.
“If I’m him, if I’m in his shoes, I’m thinking I’ve got to be up next. What more does he have to do?
“They’re winning the Championship, they’re going to go up.
“He’s the top scorer. It’s a no-brainer for me.”
Haji Wright, who was part of the US squad at the last World Cup in Qatar, arrived in England from Turkish side Antalyaspor in 2023.
The 20-cap USA international has eclipsed double-digit goals in each of his three seasons in England.
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Yet during that period, he has started just five times for his country and has been linked with a return to top-level Turkish football.
“I think there is an element [of bias against the Championship],” Wright-Phillips continued to eSPORTY.com.
“We deal with it over here with Major League Soccer. It’s the same. Championship football has proven over the years to be very difficult.
“Teams don’t just go down and get out. Every striker can’t just go into that league and bang in 16 goals.
“It doesn’t matter what the league is, how consistent is the player.
“I think the Championship shouldn’t be a problem. He should be able to get a chance on Merit for what he’s done for his side.”
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It’s not just EFL strikers standing to benefit from a World Cup on home soil, with New York Red Bulls hero Wright-Phillips, who is currently a studio host on MLS Season Pass, excited for the tournament to help progress domestic football as well.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s so inspiring, right?” the 41-year-old added.
“A lot of these young players on some of these teams are going to be playing with players that are going to the World Cup.
“Even if they’re not going, that would give me hope if I’m in that locker room. Also, just the facilities they’re going to leave behind, the eyes on the game that’s going to be left behind after the World Cup.
“There’s so many positives, but the young players? For me, the most important thing is being inspired, because if you’ve got talent, the rest will take you there.”
