Everton’s Michael Keane was selected for England, but Brighton’s Lewis Dunk missed out.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has claimed that Everton’s Michael Keane is being selected by England through loyalty when comparing him with Brighton’s Lewis Dunk.
Gareth Southgate selected his Three Lions squad for their up and coming Euro 2020 qualifiers, with the likes of James Tarkowski, Keane, John Stones and Harry Maguire all chosen as centre-backs.
That meant that the likes of Wolves captain Conor Coady, Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles and Brighton’s no-nonsense defender Dunk missed out.
Speaking to Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (16/03/2019 at 2:05 pm), Nicholas stated why Keane got ahead of Dunk in the pecking order but admitted that the Brighton man is worth a mention.
“Well, I’d certainly go, Keane [being behind Dunk],” Nicholas told Soccer Saturday. “I mean Tarkowski hasn’t been all that impressive for me.
“I think that’s how I can understand that he [Dunk] can put his name forward for a debate [to be selected by England] but I think Keane’s in there because he played in the early years with Gareth. He likes the younger players and stay loyal to them.”
It is fair to say that Keane has summed up Everton’s indifferent campaign in the Premier League this season which has resulted in manager Marco Silva coming under huge pressure.
On Sunday, the Toffees recorded a deserved 2-0 win over top-four chasing Chelsea, with Keane playing alongside Yerry Mina at the heart of the club’s defence.
It means that Silva’s side will go into the international break in a positive mood, with three points under their belt and a much-needed clean sheet.
Added with that, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is another player who has come under scrutiny, produced a strong display in front of his own supporters.
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