Paul Merson feels Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe and Chelsea gem Conor Gallagher have a great chance to secure their places in England’s World Cup squad, via his Daily Star column.
The Three Lions sealed their spot in Qatar by topping Group I during an unbeaten qualifying campaign under Gareth Southgate. They edged rivals Poland by six-points after 10 games.
Southgate gave Smith Rowe his senior England debut in their penultimate qualifier and first start three-days later. Gallagher also made his bow in Monday’s 10-0 rout of San Marino.
Smith Rowe has been a sensation for Arsenal so far this term, while Chelsea gem Gallagher has shone on loan at Crystal Palace. He is still yet to make his senior Blues debut, but has offered four goals and two assists at Selhurst Park. Matching Smith Rowe’s Gunners haul.
Merson believes Smith Rowe and Gallagher can now secure spots in England’s World Cup squad if they maintain their performances. As the players usually ahead of the 21-year-olds in Southgate’s pecking order are by no means certain to.
“There’s a lot of football to be played and there are not many foregone conclusions in the squad,” Merson wrote.
“If you’re Conor Gallagher or Emile Smith Rowe, it’s a massive incentive. Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood, are they going to be in the Manchester United team?
“You’ve got to keep on performing for a long time to keep your place. So, it’s brilliant for the fringe players, because it gives them a big chance to get in there.”
Can Arsenal’s Smith Rowe and Chelsea’s Gallagher maintain England places?
Southgate will struggle to ignore Arsenal’s Smith Rowe and Chelsea’s Gallagher for England if the pair maintain their current performances.
No English midfielder has been involved in more Premier League goals so far this term than Smith Rowe or Gallagher. West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen has also been involved in six, with two scored and four assisted.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount plus Everton’s Andros Townsend and Demarai Gary are next with a hand in five (all three scored, two assisted). While Manchester City’s Phil Foden has three goals, but only one assist.
Declan Rice has laid on more assists from a central midfield role so far for West Ham with three. He has also scored once, and has netted twice in 27-caps for England.
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