Mark Noble was instrumental to West Ham’s stunning win over London rivals Tottenham.
Gareth Southgate’s England are seriously lacking in central midfield talent with the 2018 World Cup in Russia less than eight months away.
Throughout the World Cup qualifiers, Southgate has relied upon the likes of Jordan Henderson, Eric Dier and Jake Livermore, while Tottenham Hotspur youngster Harry Winks was given a chance against Lithuania.
Despite remaining unbeaten in Group F with eight wins and two draws, the midfield is a cause for a concern between fans and media alike and a new spark is desperately required before the Three Lions travel to Russia.
Southgate may have been keeping an eye on proceedings at the home of English football on Wednesday night, as West Ham tore up the script by beating London rivals Tottenham in the Carabao Cup at the Wembley Stadium.
Andre Ayew’s brace and Angelo Ogbonna’s winner cancelled out goals from Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli to win 3-2, but it was Mark Noble’s deep-lying control of the game that masterminded West Ham’s comeback.
The midfield maestro controlled the London clash behind the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Ayew, breaking up Tottenham’s attacking play and connecting both the defence to the midfield and midfield to attack with inch-perfect passing.
A West Ham legend already, Noble epitomises the kind of passion and commitment missing from England’s displays as he continues to wear his heart on the sleeve and give his all in a claret and blue shirt.
However, Noble is yet to win an England cap and at 30 years old, the London-born midfielder is running out of time to show England just why he deserves a place among the country’s elite.
The Three Lions face Germany on November 10 and Brazil four days later and calling Noble up ahead of the 2018 World Cup would give him a make-or-break chance to push himself into Southgate’s thinking.
And after Wednesday night’s display, Noble more than deserves a call-up with Southgate’s current options falling way below the required standard.
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