The Bournemouth player feels that his team-mates should have been selected for the latest England national side.
Bournemouth’s Simon Francis celebrates after the game
Bournemouth defender Simon Francis has admitted that he is shocked that caretaker England manager Gareth Southgate has not selected one of his team-mates, for the Three Lions, he has told the Bournemouth Echo.
The Cherries have the likes of Francis, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith, who have all impressed since the south coast club made their mark in the Premier League last season, when they avoided relegation.
Yet, none of them were selected for the latest England squad and although Francis feels that the inclusion of Burnley’s Michael Keane by Southgate is encouraging, he still feels that one of his team-mates should have been chosen.
Bournemouth’s Simon Francis with Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe at the end of the game
Francis told the Bournemouth Echo: “I am maybe a little bit shocked none of the lads have been called up this time because of the lack of players we’ve had and the way the international scene is going.
“To top it off, Michael Keane has been called up which is absolutely excellent for him and I think he has been brilliant for Burnley this season. Having said that, we have had lads who played last season and were successful in the Premier League, especially in that position.
“I would probably rule myself out of that category because of my age, but Steve Cook, Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels were linked with it last season.
Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels in action with Watford’s Nordin Amrabat
“If there is room for Keane to get in there then I don’t see why they couldn’t. In the near future, I definitely think players could be called up. It’s a great sign that Southgate did put Keane in the squad because he picked a player from Burnley, who were promoted last season.”
Bournemouth have a had strong start to the season, gaining eight points from their opening seven Premier League matches and currently just sit outside the top half of the table, with their most notable victory a 1-0 win over Everton.
England’s Michael Keane, Jesse Lingard, Chris Smalling and Marcus Rashford during training
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