Harvey Barnes has shone in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion but Derby County’s Mason Mount has been called up by England instead.
You have to admire Gareth Southgate’s bravery and commitment to the long-term plan.
On the same day that he signed a new four-year deal to stay as England manager until 2022, the Three Lions boss announced that Jadon Sancho, James Maddison and Mason Mount had all been handed their first ever international call-ups.
But West Bromwich Albion fans are less than impressed. Not because Southgate has taken a big risk ahead of England’s crunch Nations League clash against Croatia on November 18, but because Mount was picked ahead of Harvey Barnes.
Like Mount, who is on loan at Derby from Chelsea, Barnes is at West Brom on a temporary basis, having arrived from Leicester City in the summer.
And you could certainly argue that Barnes is the most in-form attacker in the Championship right now. The 20-year-old has been a revelation at The Hawthorns, scoring four goals in 11 games and inspiring wins against the likes of Stoke, Bristol City and QPR with his pace, directness and creativity from the number ten role.
So you can see why West Brom fans are questioning his omission given that, on paper, Barnes is exactly the sort of player England’s national team are missing. But, in defence of Southgate’s selection, so is Mount.
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