Gareth Southgate explains team selections and omissions – the England manager Gareth Southgate has announced his latest squad list for March international friendlies and there were some surprising inclusions and omissions.
The Three Lions of England will take on Switzerland on March 26 and Ivory Coast on March 29 during the international break.
Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were both left out of the England squad, Manchester City Kyle Walker is also out of the England squad.
Since Sancho made the switch from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United he has started to live up to his potential, but England boss Southgate snubbed Sancho for Emile Smith Rowe.
Gareth Southgate explaining Sancho’s omission from the 25 man squad said:
Sancho was omitted Because the other attacking players in the squad are slightly ahead of him in the moment in our feeling.
Gareth Southgate on Sancho
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At the right-back position where England has lots of talent to choose from, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James were both preferred ahead of Kyle Walker.
I had a chat with Kyle Walker, We felt this was an opportunity to have a look at the two younger fullbacks. We know all there is to know about Kyle; he’s a very important player and he’ll be back with us in June.
We are very happy with what he’s done; he’s been a huge part of the progress we’ve made with this team and you can see in the biggest matches with Manchester City this year, he’s still been a key player for them. These young fullbacks are exciting.
Gareth Southgate on Kyle Walker
Rashford was dropped from the England squad as he has failed to impress only scoring twice, and he has mostly come on as a substitute at club level.
At the press conference when Southgate was asked about Rashford Omission he said:
It is a difficult time for Marcus Rashford, He is clearly not at his best. There’s plenty of time, we know a lot about Marcus anyway and hopefully he can rediscover some of his form.
Rashford is in the same position as everyone else, whether they are in the squad or not. They all got to play well towards the end of the season and in particular at the beginning of next season.
Southgate on Rashford
England’s 25-man squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Burnley)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Wolves), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Roma), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
KEYPOINTS:
- Manchester United duo Sancho and Rashford omitted
- James and Arnold Preferred ahead of Kyle Walker
- First England call up for Crystal Palace Marc Guehi
What Next:
England will take on Switzerland on March 26 and Ivory Coast on March 29 during the international break.
I think Southgate just picked his team out of favoritism, how will u call up Maguire and left Sancho yet he claims he is living up to expectations… Hmm coaches and their decisions at times