Gareth Southgate has named a 28-man squad for England’s September games, yet has left out a raft of in-form stars who deserved call-ups – like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
The Three Lions will face Italy and Germany in the UEFA Nations League later this month in their final fixtures before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Southgate will know England must win both fixtures to remain a League A nation, with his squad currently sat last in Group 3.
But one eye will be on Qatar, where England face Iran, the United States and Wales during Group B. Southgate led his nation to the semi-finals at the last World Cup in Russia back in 2018, before taking his country all the way into the final of Euro 2020 before losing to Italy.
Southgate admits the Qatar World Cup played a role in naming his squad for England’s ties with Italy and Germany on September 23 and 26. He is also not against changing his plans for the 22nd edition of the Fifa event if players can show their worth in the coming weeks.
“This is a bigger than normal squad and part of the rationale is that we are very close to a World Cup and we feel, although our results were disappointing in the summer, we have picked on the basis of form and capability over a long period,” he told England’s website.
“There were certain players we wanted to keep involved this time. But that said, it doesn’t mean that this is the end for some of the others who aren’t involved.
“Marcus Rashford, for example, has shown some encouraging signs recently. He is a player we know well. So, if he can perform at a high level in the next few weeks he, of course, will be under consideration.”
Rashford, though, is one of many eligible for England call-ups who will feel Southgate was wrong to ignore naming them in the Three Lions’ extended UEFA Nations League squad…
Gareth Southgate was wrong to not name Marcus Rashford in England squad
Southgate might have Rashford on his radar for the Qatar World Cup, but the England boss was wrong not to name the Manchester United forward in his squad for September’s UEFA Nations League ties. A call-up would have been his first since playing in the Euro 2020 final.
Rashford endured a troubled period at Old Trafford last season to fall away from the Three Lions’ set-up. Yet the 46-cap winger has re-found his form this term under new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag to strike three goals and lay on two assists in six Premier League outings.
His haul over 523 minutes eclipses the four goals and two assists Rashford offered over 25 top-flight appearances last season. The 24-year-old has also started all six of his outings in 2022/23 to date, compared to opening 13 games in 2021/22 after surgery on his shoulder.
Jadon Sancho will question absence from Gareth Southgate’s England squad
Sancho will also question his absence from Southgate’s England squad this month, having enjoyed a strong start to the season for Manchester United. The 22-year-old has two goals from six Premier League appearances, while looking a constant threat while on both wings.
Anthony Gordon proving to be Everton’s talisman after Chelsea interest
Reports by Sky Sports noted Chelsea were ready to pay £60m to buy Anthony Gordon from Everton in August. The Toffees rebuffed the approach, though, and have seen the 21-year-old prove to be their talisman so far this term with two goals in six Premier League games.
Frank Lampard has also asked the natural left-sided forward to feature as a false-nine with Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured. Gordon has more than stepped up to the task with his pace proving to be a regular threat. Yet Southgate did not feel he merited his first senior call-up.
Jack Harrison must wonder if maiden England call-up will ever come
Yet another England team comes and goes for Jack Harrison without Southgate naming the Leeds United winger in his squad. The 25-year-old must wonder what more he must show to get a first call-up at senior level, following two U21s caps under Aidy Boothroyd in 2017.
Harrison has proved to be an important presence on the left-hand channel at Elland Road since joining the club initially on loan in the Championship. He now boasts 17 goals and 12 assists from 77 Premier League games – including creating three and hitting one this term.
Gareth Southgate could have given Max Kilman first call-up at any level
Southgate could have given Max Kilman his first England call-up at any level by naming the Wolves star in his September squad. The 25-year-old is an impressive figure at centre-half under Bruno Lage at Molineux, offering consistency and is a dominant presence in the air.
Kilman is also skilful in possession, and can perform at a high level in either a three-man or a four-man defensive line. He is going from strength to strength in the West Midlands, and is a match for any Premier League striker, with a physical yet elegant presence at the back.
Ben White will feel hard done by with Gareth Southgate overlooking recall
Ben White will feel hard done by with Southgate overlooking a potential recall for the 24-year-old. He did not feature in their string of disappointing results this June, having been axed from the March squad – which was his first call-up since a backup role at Euro 2020.
The Arsenal defender did not play a second at Euro 2020, and only featured in two squads on the bench following his Three Lions debut last June. White returned to Southgate’s set-up this March and started against Switzerland but fell to the bench against the Ivory Coast.
A succession of impressive performances at the Emirates Stadium this season should have put White back in contention for England’s squad. He has proven his worth not only as a centre-half, but also at right-back by charging up the flank to offer a threat at either end.
Gareth Southgate overlooks Jacob Ramsey despite limited midfield options
Southgate only named five recognised central midfielders in his England squad to face Italy and Germany. Yet not one of those included was Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey, despite his strong start to the Premier League season during a difficult spell for the Birmingham team.
Aston Villa have only taken one win and one draw from their first six top-flight fixtures this season. Yet Ramsey has regularly shone from the engine room under Steven Gerrard while laying on one assist, helping the Second City side hold Manchester City to a 1-1 stalemate.
Ramsey lit up the pitch against Pep Guardiola’s defending Premier League champions with a more attacking presence. He sat in behind their strikers and could put the frighteners on Manchester City’s centre-halves with a flurry of powerful runs into Ederson’s penalty area.
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