Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (06/03/21 at 12:30 pm) that Aston Villa defender Matt Targett has ‘surprised’ him this season.
The TV pundit labelled the Villa left-back as ‘underrated’ as rumours emerge that his fine season in a Claret & Blue shirt could be rewarded with an England call.
The Mirror have claimed that Targett is being monitored by Gareth Southgate after strong performances and his understanding with Jack Grealish on the left has been muted as another potential reason to call him up.
Whilst Merson thinks that Targett has had a ‘great season’, he doesn’t think he gets ahead of Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw for his country.
On Targett getting ahead of Chilwell and Luke Shaw: “No, but I think he’s done a good job. He has surprised me.
“But you have to remember he is playing with Jack Grealish. He’s playing down that side. He’s a clever footballer because he helps, Jack.
“He doesn’t take his space. He knows when to go and when not to go. I think he’s very underrated.
“But when you are talking about them two players (Chilwell & Shaw). Do you need three left-backs? I think Shaw’s playing the best football of his career and Chilwell’s a very good player as well.
“I do like Targett and I think he’s a clever footballer because he doesn’t suffocate Grealish. I think he’s had a great season. It’s a hard one getting in front of them two.”
The one disadvantage for Targett is that both Chilwell and Shaw have previously been capped.
Plus, right-back Kieran Trippier has also been used in that position, so has the thriving star Bukayo Saka.
So, it’s not an area of concern for Southgate, but if he does call up Villa’s £12 million man (TalkSport) then it is deserved.
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