Gareth Southgate announced his England squad this week ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers next week against Hungary, Andorra and Poland. Patrick Bamford is the only new face having earned his first senior call up whilst Trent Alexander Arnold, Nick Pope and Jesse Lingard are recalled after missing Euro 2020.
Patrick Bamford deserves his call up because he deserves a chance after a good season at Leeds last season. A lot of people felt he could've gone to the Euros because of the season he had and finally he's been given the call he deserves.
Trent Alexander Arnold and Nick Pope were probably expected to be recalled having missed the Euros through injury and its no surprise to see them back in the squad. Jesse Lingard's recall has surprised me because he hasn't played a lot for Man United since the start of the season. He did do well on loan at West Ham last season but since he's been back at United he hasn't played much which is why I wasn't expecting him to be recalled.
In terms of the rest of the squad, I'm surprised that Ben Chilwell has been dropped because I was expecting him to be in there as he's been a regular for the last two years. I know he's yet to play for Chelsea this season but I was still expecting him to be in the squad. I'm also surprised to see Sam Johnstone called up again as he's now playing in the Championship with West Brom. I thought Aaron Ramsdale would get the nod ahead of him as he got a move back to the Premier League by joining Arsenal but Southgate decided to stick with Johnstone and drop Ramsdale in place of Nick Pope. Mason Greenwood not being selected has surprised considering the start he's had to the season but at the same time I can see why he's not been selected as Southgate is wating to gradually integrate him into the team.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Sam Johnstone (West Brom)
DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Kieron Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Reece James (Chelsea), Luke Shaw (Man United), Harry Maguire (Man United), John Stones (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Conor Coady (Wolves)
MIDFIELDERS: Declan Rice (West Ham), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Man City), Jesse Lingard (Man United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
FORWARDS: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Jadon Sancho (Man United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Dominic Calvert Lewin (Everton), Patrick Bamford (Leeds)
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