Charlie Austin has suggested on talkSPORT that if Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford played for a bigger club then he would get picked by England.
Of course, Austin must have forgotten that a certain Kalvin Phillips plays for England, but let’s continue.
The QPR striker also used Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish as an example and questioned why it took him so long to call him up for his country.
Well, Austin thinks ‘football snobbery’ and favouring ‘bigger clubs’ is playing a part in players like Bamford not getting picked.
“That goes against a lot of people right now,” said Austin. “That’s happening to Bamford, right now. That’s football snobbery.
“Yes, 100%. Correct (it goes all the way up to the England manager). Sometimes the face doesn’t fit.
“You look at Bamford and what has he done not to be called up? There is favour to bigger clubs. Dier’s been called up, yes? Has he done enough to be called up or are you calling him up because he plays for Tottenham?
“Let’s be honest, Jack Grealish has only been called up to the squad this season. He has been on a different level for a while now. Why has it taken it so long to get it?
On if Bamford and Grealish moved to bigger clubs then would they get England calls earlier: “That’s no disrespect. I think that’s out there. I think a lot of football supporters look at it that way.”
Ollie Watkins was the player picked ahead of the £10 million Leeds hitman (BBC Sport) by Gareth Southgate and he got the nod in his first season in England’s top-flight.
Plus, someone like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has been a standout performer at right-back this season for Manchester United, continues to get overlooked by his country.
During Austin’s days, those at the top of the league used to be favoured a lot more, but now Southgate is providing a lot more youngsters with a chance, as is proven by his record since he started.
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