With the FA cup 4th round starting last night, attention has been diverted away from the Premier League. No offence meant, though fans of respective clubs will probably take it — the prospect of Northampton against Derby was hardly going to open the eyes of many, and with very few appealing fixtures this weekend, my thoughts are on England’s squad for the upcoming 2020 European Championships.
23 players have the chance to wear the famous white shirt that is embroidered with 3 lions and 10 red roses at the 2020 European Championships. Gareth Southgate will soon have the onerous task of selecting those players to represent their country.
The dynamics of selecting the squad has changed dramatically due to the young talent the country now produces. Notable examples include Trent Alexander-Arnold who appeared just once in England’s 2018 World Cup campaign and since then has won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Supercup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Tammy Abraham on the other hand, was pivotal to Aston Villa’s Championship play-off success last season, and now wears the number 9 shirt for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, a shirt number worn by the likes of Fernando Torres and Hernan Crespo- not bad for his first full season as a Blue.
However, Gareth Southgate’s headache may have worsened due to impressive seasons from some of England’s ‘unlikely lads’. This label does not suggest the likelihood of an international call up, because until recently their names and the words “England’s Euro 2020 squad”, would not have featured in the same sentence.
I have hand-picked some players from positions across the pitch who, depending on circumstances, have an outside chance of making Gareth Southgate’s 2020 European Championships squad.
“England’s Number 1, England’s, England’s Number 1”
Sheffield United fans have made it clear who they think England’s shot-stopper should be. Henderson’s fine display against Manchester City saw him save Gabriel Jesus’ penalty prompting chants of “England’s number one” amongst the Blades fans.
Manchester United academy prospect Dean Henderson is currently on loan to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. Henderson was part of the England Under 21 side in the Under 21 European Championships last year.
Henderson is yet to feature for England team but did receive a call up in October after Tom Heaton pulled out due to injury. The goalkeeping ace was Chris Wilder’s brick wall last season keeping 20 clean sheets – a league high. Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of superb. Wilder’s boys are currently eighth in the table and Henderson has made a significant contribution to this with 8 clean sheets this season.
Henderson’s chances of featuring in Southgate’s squad are perhaps increased due to the unfortunate injury of Tom Heaton who suffered knee ligament damage and will miss the remainder of the season. England are not short on goalkeepers, yet Henderson appears to be the most outstanding. Jordan Pickford’s role in Everton’s lacklustre season would hardly have made Gareth Southgate jump out of his seat, and Jack Butland’s dreadful start to the season saw Southgate exclude him from the national side for the games against Switzerland and Kosovo.
Should Henderson continue his fine performances in Sheffield United’s impressive return to the big time, he is arguably putting a strong case down to be England’s number 1.
All roads lead to Rome — and Chris Smalling
From Manchester to Rome, Chris Smalling’s loan switch to AS Roma has allowed the London born centre half to reinvigorate his career.
After Harry Maguire’s record-breaking move to Manchester United in the summer, United had a surplus of central defenders, so Solskjær let him go on loan to Roma. Smalling’s start for the Giallorossi has shown promising signs; a Europa League tie against Istanbul Basaksehir ended with Smalling wearing the captain’s armband; and has been dribbled around an average of 0.1 times a game (whoscored.com).
Roma finished the last campaign 6th, and this season are currently in 4th spot. In England’s World Cup campaign, Gareth Southgate often opted for a 3-5-2 formation allowing space for 3 central defenders. However, Southgate’s system has since appeared to change. England’s qualifying campaign has seen them utilise the 4-3-3 formation limiting the formation to two centre halves, perhaps making Smalling’s chances slim.
This Premier League season has seen some of England’s centre halves struggle for form, with few exceptions. Joe Gomez’s career has blossomed in Jurgen Klopp’s formidable Liverpool side and is making a statement for his place in England’s side. However, with the likes of Harry Maguire playing in Ole Gunner Solskjær’s mediocre Manchester United side; John Stones and Michael Keane struggling to find form; and Tyrone Mings part of newly promoted Aston Villa side, Chris Smalling might be an unexpected addition to Southgate’s squad.
Whilst Rome was not built in a day, Southgate has just a few months to cement a solid centre half partnership that can compete, and Smalling may have caught Southgate’s eye.
Jack’s Playing a Blinder
With gelled back hair, effectively useless shin pads, and a unique swagger on the pitch, Jack Grealish’s influence in Dean Smith’s Aston Villa side is exemplary.
His return from injury in Aston Villa’s play-off success last season was inspiring. Returning from injury on the 2nd of March, Dean Smith handed Grealish the captaincy as they defeated Derby County 4-0 with Grealish scoring a sublime goal. This emphatic victory inspired a 10 game winning streak in which Villa coasted up the table ultimately securing their place in the play-off positions.
Now the Christmas period has concluded, each game is growing in importance for Aston Villa. Grealish has played a vital role so far in Villa’s season, he has registered 7 goals and 5 assists so far in the Premier League.
England’s midfield is arguably the most competitive position in the side with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain, Dele Alli and a whole host more. With international friendlies against Italy and Denmark around the corner, it would be surprising if Southgate did not select Grealish to assess his ability at an international level in at least one of them.
Southgate’s decision on England’s midfield might provide controversy amongst football fans, but Grealish’s pivotal role in Aston Villa’s side provides a persuasive argument in selecting him for England’s 2020 squad.
The Saints have something they want you to know
This season has brought light to a new English striking prodigy. At 27 years of age, Danny Ings has been a sensation for Ralph Hassenhüttl’s Southampton side registering 14 Premier League goals for The Saints.
To put things into perspective, Danny Ings has scored the same amount of Premier League goals as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marcus Rashford and has scored more than the likes of Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah.
With Kane and Rashford out for the upcoming international friendlies, Southgate might just give Ings his chance. Ings has just 1 international appearance, yet might prove crucial to Southgate’s plans. Despite injuries to the likes of Kane and Rashford, Ings faces some competition with Dominic Calvert-Lewin finding some form under new coach Carlo Ancelotti. The striker has 10 goals so far this campaign and will be looking to impress Southgate himself.
Ings has been in red-hot form for the Saints, and whilst he might be unlikely to start for the Three Lions, his predator instincts and awareness around the goal would be credible assets coming off the bench for England.
Down to you Gareth
The dynamics of football change so rapidly. Dean Henderson and Jack Grealish have transitioned from Championship football to the Premier League; Chris Smalling has been part of the post Alex Ferguson era which has seen Manchester United struggle to compete with the elite; Danny Ings finished last season’s Premier League campaign with 7 goals, a feat which he accomplished on the 9th November against Everton this season. The transformation of their careers within the last 6-8 months could potentially lead to a chance to play for England in the 2020 European Championships.
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