England manager Gareth Southgate has announced his England squad for the two Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro respectively. Included in the squad for the first time is West Ham’s Declan Rice, whilst there are also perhaps surprising places for the out of form Kieran Trippier and Fabian Delph.
However, some fans are fuming at some key omissions, that we run through below.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The Crystal Palace right-back has been the best full-back in the Premier League this season bar none. The converted winger has developed rapidly under Roy Hodgson and is now a nightmare for any winger to come up against. His pace and power make him extremely difficult to beat in one-on-one situations but unfortunately for him, England are already well stocked in that position.
Kieran Trippier may be out of form for his club but his England heroics last summer probably keep him in the squad. Meanwhile, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both having decent seasons and are more experienced that the 21-year-old. Wan-Bissaka will get his chance, but he may have to gain more Premier League experience before he is trusted by Southgate.
James Maddison
James Maddison is one of the best young players in the Premier League without a doubt. In fact, the number ten has created more chances than any other player in the top five leagues in English football. In a time where England are in need of a creative central midfielder it is simply baffling that he has been left out in favour of players such as Ross Barkley, Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Those players may have been playing in the top flight for longer than Maddison, but this season they have been nowhere near his level. Perhaps if he’d been playing for a top-six side he would have got the nod.
James Ward-Prowse
JWP. The big cheese in recent weeks in the Premier League. The midfield magician has bagged six goals in his last nine Premier League outings including some sensational free-kicks, including one against Spurs last time out. This record means he is in the form of his career and at just 24-years-old, he still has time to improve.
He can, like Maddison, feel aggrieved that other midfielders have been chosen ahead of him given England’s lack of creativity.
