As Gareth Southgate picks his squads for the March international fixtures against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, some surprise faces make the cut and are offered their chance to play their way into contention for this year’s Qatar World Cup whilst others are given selection ultimatums ahead of crunch fixtures with their clubs.
Tammy Abraham
After leaving Stamford Bridge for Rome, Tammy Abraham has once again found form under manager Jose Mourinho at the right time. He has scored 15 league goals this season so far in Serie A and has well and truly put selection issues at Chelsea behind him. His return to goalscoring form couldn’t be better timed with the latest England squad for the upcoming international fixtures only featuring one other recognised striker in Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Elsewhere, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford looks to be a lost figure at the Red Devils with a string of poor performances and struggling to adapt to the plans of interim manager Ralph Rangnick. Whilst Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled to find his pre-injury form as he returns to an Everton side fighting relegation at the foot of the table.
Kane himself will not be sitting comfortably as he likely leads the line against Switzerland and Ivory Coast. With club form being inconsistent, recent goals seem to have resurrected a late push for European places at Tottenham however throughout this season Kane has come under particular criticism for his below-par goal return. The poor form of Rashford and Kane, and Calvert-Lewin’s slow reintegration back into his Everton side have opened a window for Tammy Abraham to stake his claim for a place in December’s squad early.
As Abraham continues to flourish in Italy, the ex-Chelsea frontman will certainly be looking to capitalise on any international minutes he is given over this week’s fixtures to stake his claim in the squad for Qatar 2022. With an appearance in some capacity likely, Abraham’s club form will likely not be enough to guarantee him a place in the squad and will need to hit the ground running in an England shirt if he is to keep himself ahead of the likes of Rashford and Calvert-Lewin as the Qatar World Cup approaches.
Tammy Abraham to take his chance and score against Ivory Coast? Bet £10 and receive £50 in Free Bets with bet365.
Marc Guehi
Another summer exit from Stamford Bridge was Marc Guehi. The central defender joined Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window after limited opportunities at Stamford Bridge. Before his blues exit, Guehi gained experience at Swansea City under Steve Cooper who Guehi would be familiar with from his time in the England youth set up.
Guehi has gone from strength to strength during his time at Crystal Palace becoming a first-team regular under Patrick Viera making 28 league appearances so far this season, with his manager displaying particular faith in the youngster naming him captain in Crystal Palace’s 4-1 win over Watford recently.
After making his way through the national youth teams from under 16 level onwards, his fine form at club level has finally earned him his chance to join the senior squad for the first time. Whilst minutes on the pitch and a senior international debut likely still undecided, the opportunity for Guehi to step up and train at senior level will put him in front of manager Gareth Southgate in close quarters for the first time. With injuries and poor form hampering the seasons of Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez, and Tyrone Mings, Guehi will be looking towards those struggles as a window of opportunity. Given Crystal Palace’s strong season with no threat of relegation, attention can be turned to their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Should Guehi guide his side to a first FA Cup final since 2016 this would most certainly give Gareth Southgate some difficult selection decisions with other tried and tested squad members struggling for form.
Could clean sheets guide Marc Guehi on his way to Qatar? A £10 bet Marc Guehi to make the plane receives £50 in Free Bets.
Aaron Ramsdale
If not for his last-minute injury that has temporarily sidelined him, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale was initially selected for this month’s England friendlies. Ramsdale’s impressive form this season has played a particular role in Arsenal’s resurgence in form as they mount a surprise challenge for a Top-4 spot and Champions League qualification. With Ramsdale’s injury not looking too serious he will not be too worried in any lost game time, however to miss out on meeting up with the squad will not help in his bid to oust Everton’s Jordan Pickford out of the England goal.
After persistent backing by England manager Gareth Southgate despite a series of mistakes at club level, given Everton’s abysmal season with Pickford playing a part of this difficult period, it is becoming ever more difficult for Southgate to justify Pickford’s selection. With Nick Pope’s Burnley also involved in a relegation scrap, Aaron Ramsdale certainly looks to be the player to be putting the most pressure on Jordan Pickford’s position and the missed opportunity to be able to stake a claim for the shirt against Switzerland and Ivory Coast will hurt.
Jadon Sancho
Serious doubt has been cast over Jadon Sancho’s chances of making the England squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup as Gareth Southgate has surprisingly left the Manchester United winger out of upcoming squads for friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast. Whilst his form has picked up at club level, Sancho’s start to his Manchester United career was a slow one.
England manager, Southgate, has stated that Sancho’s omission is due to other players such as Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden having performed better than the former Borussia Dortmund star. Despite the disappointment, one thing on Sancho’s side is time. With the bulk of the club season remaining, and future international breaks prior to final squad selections, Sancho will need to ensure that he can play a part in a successful end to the season for Manchester United in order to break back into the squad over the summer.
As Jadon Sancho’s form begins to improve, so do his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s squad. A £10 bet on Sancho to make England’s World Cup squad receives £50 in Free Bets with bet365.
