John Hartson has backed West Ham United, Leicester City and Sunderland stars for a call-up to Sam Allardyce’s first England squad this week.
England manager Sam Allardyce prepares to name his first squad
Sam Allardyce will name his first England squad on Sunday ahead of the Three Lions’ opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia a week later.
The new manager has been assessing players across the opening Premier League fixtures and will make a decision on which ones deserve the chance at international level.
Allardyce says he’s been watching games closely since the new season kicked off earlier this month.
A lot of the talk has surrounded Joe Hart’s involvement in the squad after being frozen out by new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Allardyce confirmed Hart would be in his first squad but it remains to be seen whether he will play given his lack of football under Guardiola and speculation over his future.
Euro 2016 disaster: Roy Hodgson
Will Allardyce right Hodgson selection wrongs?
Allardyce’s predecessor Roy Hodgson, was oversaw the Three Lions’ disastrous Euro 2016 exit at the hands of minnows Iceland, was criticised for failing to select a number of players performing consistently well for their clubs.
The ill-feeling towards Hodgson was exacerbated as he continued to call up players who were out of form. fitness or rarely featuring for their own sides, such as Fabian Delph, Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere.
And now former Arsenal and Hammers star Hartson has told talkSPORT he believes some changes are in the offing.
John Hartson says changes are in the offing
‘You might see one or two surprises’
“There’s three or four for me, that may well just surprise a few people,” Hartson told Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast.
“I think what Sam will do, he’ll be his own man, he’s always be his own man and Sam will make decisions on the back of what he thinks will benefit the England team.
West Ham’s Mark Noble celebrates
“You may well see Defoe, if (Andy) Carroll was fit you may well have seen him, you may well see Noble, I think you’ll definitely see Drinkwater you know players like that who just missed out on going to the Euros – Sam has worked with Mark Noble he knows how much of a leader and a captain he is, people like that.
“Defoe was instrumental last season helping Sunderland and Sam stay up in the Premier League so it wouldn’t surprise me. I’m not saying they’re stick ons but you might see one or two surprises.”
Is Big Sam the man with a new plan?
Critics must consider where the alternative got us
No doubt Allardyce’s first squad will leave him open for criticism from some quarters.
But what people must remember is the anger which greeted yet another failure at a major tournament and the question marks that were raised over Hodgson’s selections.
Allardyce’s open door policy should be welcomed and encouraged and is good news for players and fans at all Premier League clubs.
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