The uncapped youngsters pushing for England recognition next month
The next international break may be a month away, but Gareth Southgate is likely to be considering his options for his upcoming England squad. Here, we look at six young English players pushing for a first senior cap when the Three Lions kickstart their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in March…
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - Crystal Palace
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one who is rumoured to be high on Southgate’s list to be called up next month. The 21-year-old has been a revelation for Crystal Palace and international recognition would be wholly deserved. Wan-Bissaka has a better WhoScored rating (7.24) than any other Eagles player this season and was crucial in a Palace backline that put three key points on the board in a 2-0 win over Fulham at the weekend.
England aren’t short of right-back options, but Wan-Bissaka has been a revelation in defence for Palace. He has made more tackles and interceptions combined (148) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season, while pushing forward, he's made more successful dribbles (40) than other Premier League defender. Unsurprsingly, he has attracted interest from a host of top teams. Palace can command a fee for Wan-Bissaka should they opt to cash in on the defender and in becoming an England international, that would only increase that price tag.
With Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold all right-back alternatives for Southgate, Wan-Bissaka has his work cut out if he is to nail down a regular starting spot in his preferred position, but if he can maintain his good form for Palace, then he’ll be a regular feature in the England squad before too long, starting from next month.
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James Maddison was handed a call up to the England squad in October, but Southgate opted against giving the Leicester man his first cap in meetings with Croatia and Spain in the UEFA Nations League. He could rectify that next month with Maddison impressing at the King Power Stadium to warrant a chance to secure his spot in the England squad.
Only three players have made more key passes than the 22-year-old (57) in the Premier League this season, that more than any other English player. With five goals and four assists to his name, Maddison is enjoying a notable debut campaign in England’s top tier for a Leicester side that is underwhelming under Claude Puel.
Like with Wan-Bissaka, there is vast competition for a place in the England squad in his position, but Maddison’s versatility would be an added benefit for Southgate, with the attacker able to play through the middle or out wide.
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Injuries have limited Jack Grealish to just 21 Championship starts this season, yet he’s impressed when called upon. Aston Villa’s form has been impacted when he’s been unavailable this season, with the Villans’ win ratio dropping from 38.1% to 22.2% when he hasn’t started and while he has yielded just two goals and four assists, his performances prior to injury suggested he was getting to his best in the final third.
Similarly with Maddison, Grealish’s versatility would benefit Southgate, while an ability to bring the ball upfield with ease from deep would afford the England boss an additional attacking dimension. He’s being fouled more times per game (4.9) than any other player in the Championship this season and given England’s goalscoring capability from set-piece situations, this trait would be a bonus for the Three Lions.
The 23-year-old is expected to make his long awaited return in Aston Villa’s meeting with Sheffield United this week and his availability is a huge boost for the Midlands side in their playoff push. If he can quickly get up to speed, then Southgate could turn to the Championship side and Grealish for his next squad.
Harvey Barnes - West Brom / Leicester
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Harvey Barnes’ return to Leicester was welcomed with open arms by Foxes fans. The 21-year-old, after all, thrived in the first half of the season for a West Brom side pushing for an immediate Premier League return and he made his second top-flight start of the season for Leicester in their recent 1-0 loss to Manchester United.
While he hasn’t made the desired immediate impact at the King Power Stadium, Barnes chipped in with nine goals and six assists for West From prior to his return to Claude Puel’s side. Comfortable through the middle as he is out wide, Barnes’ style of play means Southgate could continue with a three-man defence or a 4-3-3 setup.
Having ranked highly for successful dribbles (45) and second for clear-cut goalscoring opportunities created (10) in the Championship, the creative qualities of the young attacker, coupled with his impressive ability to drive at opposition defences, will serve him well. Now back in the Premier League spotlight, too, Barnes could be set for a first senior cap sooner rather than later.
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As chance would have it, Burnley have benefitted from injuries to Johann Gudmundsson and Aaron Lennon as Dwight McNeil makes a starting spot his own at Turf Moor. The teenage winger hasn’t let manager Sean Dyche down, landing a better WhoScored rating (7.26) than any other Clarets teammate in the Premier League this season.
Burnley’s win ratio rises from 16.7% to 42.9% with McNeil starting this term with the 19-year-old scoring one and assisting two in England’s top tier. He’s very much an outside pick for a place in the squad next month, yet the winger has impressed when called upon and if he can maintain his flying form on the Burnley left flank, then Southgate may continue to cast his eye towards Turf Moor, not to keep tabs on Tom Heaton and James Tarkowski, but rather McNeil.
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Dropping back into Championship, this time turning our attention to Aston Villa’s playoff rivals Hull City. The Tigers started the season abysmally, but a fine run of just one defeat in their last 12, including a six-match winning run, has pushed them to within four points of the top six and a key reason for their excellent form has been attacker Jarrod Bowen.
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The 22-year-old has scored 15 league goals this season, ranking among the top 10 players in the Championship this season, and has had a direct hand in 13 goals in his last 11 league outings. Bowen’s excellent performances attracted interest from Tottenham, Everton and Leicester in January and the trio, among others, could return for the youngster in the summer should Hull fail to secure promotion.
His best position is out on the right, but he is able to play through the middle and an additional goalscoring threat from out wide can only be a good thing for England.
