England manager Gareth Southgate has recalled Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and John Stones for the 26-man squad he has announced for the upcoming World Cup 2022 qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
[box_text]Southgate despite having a wealth of talent at his disposal wasn't able to pick the likes of Leicester City pair Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, Villa's Jack Grealish and first choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford all unavailable owing to injury.
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Shaw and Lingard have been recalled due to their brilliant recent form, while the selection of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is a surprise as he makes his first appearance in the senior international squad.[/box_text]
Watkins inclusion has come as a surprise to those who expected Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford to be called up.
[su_panel border=”4px solid #cc0000″]Although not having his best season by any means, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's omission has come as a shock and so is that of Manchester United's wing-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.[/su_panel]
Kyle Walker and Reece James are available at right back while Kieran Trippier, fresh from his recent suspension, is also in.
As for the goalkeeper's slot, it will be a toss between Burnley's Nick Pope and Dean Henderson in the absence of Pickford.
Another surprise inclusion is England U21 midfiedler Jude Bellingham who plays for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund but team-mate and English international forward Jadon Sancho is out owing to injury.
[box_text]Dropping Alexander-Arnold and recalling Lingard is undoubtedly Southgate’s biggest statement that he has formed his squad on the basis of recent form.[/box_text]
Lingard has been instrumental in West Ham remaining steadfast in the Top Six of the Premier League, scoring four goals and registering an assist from his six appearances for the club so far.
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Nick Pope (Burnley).
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
England’s fixtures in March
- Thursday 25 March: England vs. San Marino, 19.45hrs, Wembley Stadium – Live on ITV
- Sunday 28 March: Albania vs. England, 17.00hrs, Arena Kombetari, Tirana – Live on ITV
- Wednesday 31 March: England vs. Poland, 19.45hrs, Wembley Stadium – Live on ITV
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