Paul Scholes: Ryan Mason should be in the next England squad

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The 23-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has caught Scholes’ eye.

Paul Scholes believes Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason should be in the next senior England squad, according to his column in the Independent and London Evening Standard.

The 23-year-old Spurs man has caught Scholes’ eye this season, impressing him in several key areas.

Indeed, the former Manchester United midfielder likes the fact that Mason can tackle and cover great distances on-field – but he is equally impressed by his tactical understanding of the game.

Mason, according to Scholes, has been overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane but, in his eyes, should also be in Roy Hodgson’s next England squad.

“Mason has caught my eye a lot this season. He can tackle, he is tactically disciplined and he kicks the ball cleanly with either foot. He gets about the pitch too,” he said.

“I understand he had a few loan spells and some injury problems before he made it as a regular with Spurs and his development has been overshadowed by Kane. But I see no reason why Mason should not be in the next senior England squad.”

As Opta stats show, the 23-year-old has won more tackles in the Premier League than any other Tottenham player this season. He has, too, made the second-highest final-third entries of any Spurs squad member – demonstrating his willingness to run and get forward.

Mason has become an integral part of boss Mauricio Pochettino’s high-tempo, high-energy system and, despite criticism from some supporters for often careless or wasteful tendencies, the Tottenham midfielder has certainly made an impression in north London this term.

He’s definitely made one on Scholes.