Gareth Southgate announced his latest England squad yesterday ahead of their friendly against Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy. There are no new faces to the squad, but there are recalls for John Stones, Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins.
Let's see what I think of the squad.
I'm surprised that Stones has been recalled as he's yet to make an appearance for City this season due to injury. I do understand why he's been included as he's been a key player for Gareth Southgate but because of him yet to feature this season, I'm surprised that he's been recalled.
Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins on the other hand both deserve their recalls as they've been in good form recently. Bowen has started the season brilliantly as he already has 5 goals to his name leaving him 3rd in the scoring charts behind Erling Haaland and Heung Min Son. Watkins meanwhile has netted 4 goals in his last two games and was unlucky not to be recalled last season despite the form he was in.
In terms of the rest of the squad, I was in some way surprised to see Bukayo Saka included not long after picking up an injury during the week for Arsenal. But because of how important he's been for England over the last year, I can somewhat understand why he's been included. I'm also surprised to see Conor Gallagher, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire still included. Gallagher isn't in great form for Chelsea, Phillips and Maguire are both struggling for game time at their respective clubs whilst Henderson is playing in a league that is not as strong as the Premier League. I thought James Ward Prowse might've got in ahead either Phillips, Henderson or Gallagher as he's been in great form for West Ham.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD:
GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace)
DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker (Man City), Kieron Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool), John Stones (Man City), Harry Maguire (Man United), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
MIDFIELDERS: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Phil Foden (Man City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jack Grealish (Man City), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), James Maddison (Tottenham), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
FORWARDS: Marcus Rashford (Man United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
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