Ryan Bertrand has impressed for the Saints this season and is targeting a place in the Three Lions squad.
Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand is targeting a place in the next England squad after seeing team-mate Nathaniel Clyne get picked for the Three Lions once again.
Bertrand has impressed for the Saints during a sensational season so far for Ronald Koeman’s side, with Southampton currently sitting second in the Premier League table.
And the Chelsea loanee wants to play for Roy Hodgson’s team.
“Of course, that’s something I want to progress to and play in. It’s just about playing consistently now,” he is quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.
“Hopefully my performances are good enough to get recognition.”
But what do the stats say? Is he ready for an England call-up?
| Tackles Won (per game) | Interceptions Won | Effective Clearances | Aerial Duels Won | Appearances | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leighton Baines | 1.8 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 10 | 900 |
| Luke Shaw | 1.8 | 0.2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 431 |
| Kieran Gibbs | 1.57 | 2.14 | 2.43 | 1.14 | 7 | 577 |
| Ryan Bertrand | 1 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 10 | 900 |
As Opta data shows, the 25-year-old lags behind Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw and Kieran Gibbs in several defensive areas. He is the best of the quartet in the air, though, while he also wins more interceptions than Shaw.
There has, too, been an argument that a good defender needs to make less tackles as he has already read the game well enough to avert danger…
| Position | Team | Chances Created (per game) | Dribbles Won | Accurate Crosses | Assists | Appearances | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leighton Baines | DF | Everton | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 10 | 900 |
| Luke Shaw | DF | Man Utd | 1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0 | 5 | 431 |
| Ryan Bertrand | DF | Southampton | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 10 | 900 |
| Kieran Gibbs | DF | Arsenal | 0.86 | 0.71 | 0.86 | 0.14 | 7 | 577 |
Going forward, however, Bertrand is also far behind some of the England left-backs. From an attacking point of view, Baines is certainly Hodgson’s best bet.
But the biggest statistic of all, of course, is the goals conceded column. And Southampton have conceded just five goals this season.
So, if Bertrand is determined enough, he can certainly make an England place his own in the coming months or years…
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