Gareth Southgate has named his full squad for the England team’s upcoming matches later this month. The Three Lions have a great pool of talents to choose from. Therefore, the top talents missed the cut for this month’s pair of games.
Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, Arsenal’s Ben White, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins all failed to make the squad. Sancho has two goals so far this season as a starter in all Premier League games for the Red Devils. White has also appeared in every XI for the league leaders so far.
Gallagher and Watkins may face better competition at their positions. The Chelsea midfielder misses out on a call-up as Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have a firm grip on their roles. Watkins, on the other hand, has to compete with Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney.
Southgate acknowledged that he chose some players despite their lack of playing time. Ultimately, this flies in the face of his earlier claims that players must be regular starters to be picked for the national team. “Clearly we have a number of players, including Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips, who don’t get many minutes for their club,” Southgate said.
“It is not ideal, but we feel that they have been and can be important players for us. It’s not a perfect situation, but there’s still a lot of football to play before Qatar.”
Maguire hasn’t started a Premier League game in over a month. Phillips has managed to play just one minute for Manchester City during the league this season. The defensive midfielder has also not been in the squad for four Premier League games. Shaw hasn’t played a single minute of action since Aug. 13.
England squad for September matches
Here is the full England squad to face Italy and Germany in the upcoming Nations League matches.
goalkeepers
Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale.
defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.
midfielders
Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse.
Forward
Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportimage
