Mason Holgate has told Sky Sports he has not ruled out an international future for England but admits it is unlikely he will earn a first call-up whilst Everton are struggling for results.
The defender has represented his country at U20s and 21s levels, but is yet to play for the senior side. He made the last of his 13 Young Lions caps in 2017, as well, while all six U23s appearances came at right-back. Not the central role that he still targets a potential role in.
Gareth Southgate and his staff have scouted Holgate with a view to giving the 25-year-old his debut before. The Mirror noted in 2020 that the England boss was tracking his Everton form for Euro 2020. But the covid pandemic forced England to scrap their March friendlies.
Now, Holgate is fighting to catch Southgate’s attention again ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But the Doncaster-born talent does not expect to earn his first call-up soon all the while the Toffees are struggling. He has also only featured in 16 of their 27 league fixtures.
Holgate issues ‘honest’ England dream doubt with Everton ‘struggling’
Everton head to West Ham this Sunday seeking just a third Premier League win under Frank Lampard. They took only their second last time out in the top-flight over Newcastle United to end a four-game losing streak. The Blues had also failed to score in that period.
Holgate has started all seven of Lampard’s league fixtures at the Goodison Park helm so far and two FA Cup ties. Rafa Benitez never truly took to the £2m former Doncaster defender over his six-and-a-half months in charge. So, Holgate is loving his fresh start with Lampard.
Now, he is only focused on helping Lampard restore some form on Merseyside and avoid a surprise relegation. But once Everton are safe, Holgate will let himself dream of England.
“Let’s be honest, if a team is struggling, the chances of getting called up for England are slim anyway,” Holgate admits. “Since I’ve come back in the team, we are all fighting for something. Everton needs to be the focus of everybody in the squad.
“I don’t think the time is right now to think about England. I think next season, or maybe the season after, when the club gets going, that’s when I can start thinking about those things a bit more.
“I’m confident in what we are doing as a club, and I am confident in the team that we’ve got, and I’m sure that time is going to come. No one is going to rule out playing for England at 25 as a centre-back.”
Holgate’s pessimism of earning Southgate’s attention again can be reflected in his Everton teammate Michael Keane, who has now not represented England since November 2020.
But either could force their way in ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, where England will face the United States, Iran and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine in the group stage.
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