Everton’s Michael Keane started both of England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers over the international break.
Chris Waddle has expressed his surprise at how Everton’s Michael Keane performed for England during their Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro, respectively.
Centre-back Keane has usually been a back-up in Gareth Southgate’s defensive pecking order, but injuries to the likes of John Stones and Joe Gomez opened the door for the Toffees man to start.
He played the full game during both wins against the Czech’s and then in Montenegro, netting in the Monday night fixture, with the Three Lions scoring five goals in both matches.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match (25/03/2019 at 10:05 pm), Waddle admitted that he was impressed by England’s centre-back partnership after previously having concerns.
“I tell you who has really done well for us, and I have got to say it surprises us, Michael Keane has played very well and I have got to say, Harry Maguire,” Waddle told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“They were known as a bit of a weak link against the Czech Republic – I was a little bit concerned about the pace of the two of them down the sides if teams did exploit that. But they have been good on the ball, they have read situations, they have been solid at the back in both games.”
Former Manchester United academy product Keane will be hoping to keep his place in Southgate’s starting XI when they participate in the UEFA Nations League in the summer.
But if Manchester City’s Stones and Liverpool’s Gomez are both fit then Keane may find himself dropping back to the bench unless Southgate deploys a back three, but even then it might be difficult for him to break into the starting XI.
Nonetheless, Keane will now be hoping to take his international form for England onto the domestic scene and helping Everton finish the season in a positive fashion.
Before the international break, they recorded an impressive 2-0 win against Chelsea and they will now travel to West Ham on Saturday evening.
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