Tony Cascarino backs Arsenal & Liverpool duo in representing England

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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has been part of Gareth Southgate’s England set-up for some time now, but Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding is yet to earn his maiden call-up.

Tony Cascarino has backed the suggestion of Arsenal defender Rob Holding representing England and he also stated that Liverpool’s Joe Gomez would be the player for him to play alongside Harry Maguire.

Gareth Southgate’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat away at the Czech Republic on Friday night, with England’s defence once again coming into question.

In recent times, Michael Keane has played alongside Manchester United’s Maguire, with John Stones previously playing that role, and prior to that, Southgate deploying a back three.

Speaking to Sports Breakfast on TalkSport (12/09/2019 at 8:00 am), former Republic of Ireland striker Cascarino backed the idea of either Gomez or Holding potentially playing alongside Maguire, as he described the previously injury-hit Arsenal man as a ‘quality footballer’.

On Holding being the best English CB in the country alongside Maguire: “He hasn’t played for a long time,” Cascarino told TalkSport. “He’s had very little amount of football in the last year or so, Rob Holding.

“But a very good quality footballer on the ball. I think he’s got a really valid point [about Holding representing England]. You are looking for a partnership. You are looking for Michael Keane and Harry Maguire to be a partnership, so far there doesn’t look like there is one. Whether that changes between now and next summer, I’m not sure. Keane gives you too many chances. John Stones likewise.

“You are really trying to find the one who fits alongside Harry Maguire. I think Joe Gomez when he’s fit, he can get into that England team. Unfortunately for him, Joel Matip, at club level, has played to a level that is just been way beyond what we expected a year ago.”

England take on Bulgaria on Monday night, as Southgate could potentially make some changes to his backline in order to get some steel back into his team.

Centre-back Gomez is already part of England’s squad, so it is a little easier for him to get selected, whilst Holding is yet to earn his first call-up.

If Gomez can earn some regular game time at Anfield then it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is backed to start alongside Maguire on a more regular basis.