According to a report by The Guardian, both Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling are being considered for England call-ups, and while that’s good news, there’s one Leeds player who has every right to feel miffed by this.
Everyone has been impressed by Leeds United this season, and it’s no surprise to hear that two of their star performers are now being eyed up by Gareth Southgate, but we can’t help but feel that there’s one United player Southgate has forgotten about.
Indeed, Jack Harrison may have a stronger case than either Bamford or Ayling to get into the England squad.
Now, we’re not saying that Bamford and Ayling are bad footballers. It’s quite obvious that they’re very talented, but Harrison has been outstanding this season, and he deserves this sort of recognition more than Ayling or Bamford, especially when you consider the current composition of the England team.
The right-back position is the most competitive spot in the side with the likes of Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Reece James and Matty Cash all vying for that spot ahead of Ayling.
Competing with Bamford up top you’ve got the likes of Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins and Callum Wilson who’ve all hit double figures this season, alongside Danny Ings who scored 21 times last term.
Meanwhile, England don’t really have an attack-minded left-footed winger to call upon.
Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford can operate in that role, but they’re not left footers, and with Kane and Calvert-Lewin being such aerial threats, England could do with someone who can cross on that flank rather than consistently looking to cut inside.
Six goals and four assists on the left side for Leeds makes Harrison one of the most potent attacking forces in the division, and he’s not even an out-and-out attacker, providing a huge amount of defensive cover for Leeds.
We’re sure that Harrison will be happy for his teammates if they get the England nod before he does, but we wouldn’t blame him one bit if he was a bit sour if his teammates got the nod and he was snubbed.
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