Gareth Southgate has named his England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, set to take place at the beginning of June.
The Three Lions travel to Hungary and Germany, before returning home to take on European Champions Italy and rounding their games off with a second clash with Hungary.
England’s clash with the Italians, to take place at Molineux Stadium, will be played behind closed doors following UEFA sanctions for the issues that arose at the Euro2020 final between the sides at Wembley.
Naming the squad was always going to raise plenty of eyebrows upon announcement, and, with talented Englishmen continuing to shine around Europe, some were destined to miss out.
Confirming your #ThreeLions squad for our upcoming #NationsLeague fixtures! 🦁
— England (@England) May 24, 2022
101 takes a look at 5 winners and losers from Gareth Southgate’s latest selection.
Winner: Fikayo Tomori
First up we have a man whose chance to add to his England caps is long overdue in the form of AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori.
Tomori played the most minutes of anyone in a Milan shirt on their way to their first title in 11 years, keeping 19 clean sheets in the process. Compared to the likes of Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady, both of whom finished mid-table with their clubs, it seemed a no brainer.
Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola Tomori. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WwlGghDl6T
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 22, 2022
And, it seems that common sense has finally prevailed, with Tomori included in Southgate’s latest squad and surely in with a great chance of a spot in the squad for November’s World Cup if he impresses.
Winner: Jarrod Bowen
Injury robbed Jarrod Bowen of a chance at the England squad for the March international breaks, but the West Ham man has continued to excel since his return. Yet to be capped by England, 12 goals and 12 assists in the top flight ensured that he could not be overlooked for the upcoming games.
English players to reach 20+ goal involvements in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season:
Harry Kane – 26
Jarrod Bowen – 22
Tammy Abraham – 21
Mason Mount – 21
– pic.twitter.com/IahYoabc6o— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 24, 2022
Should he continue to shine in east London, it will be hard not to take him to the World Cup in November too.
Winner: Harry Maguire
Throughout the worst season in Manchester United’s Premier League history, Harry Maguire’s stature has continued to diminish at Old Trafford. Cheers went up when he was substituted against Atletico Madrid after another sub-par performance, and he has looked well off the pace demanded by Ralf Rangnick since his arrival.
However, for England he is still yet to really put a foot wrong, though his celebration when scoring last for the Three Lions was perhaps ill-advised.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Harry Maguire of England celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on November 12, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Southgate continues to place a lot of trust in Maguire, and it will take something monumental for that to change. And it is a win-win too, with Maguire getting a much needed break from the scrutiny of Old Trafford, and a chance to play in a system more suited to his skills.
Loser: Jadon Sancho
Staying at Old Trafford, the move to Manchester last summer has continued to have a serious knock-on effect for Jadon Sancho, who once again has found himself watching the Three Lions from home. Last called up for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, he managed just 96 minutes as speculation around his future swirled.
He has not since added to his 23 caps, and with three goals and three assists in his first full season in the Premier League an underwhelming return, it is no surprise that he has yet again been omitted.
Sancho of Manchester United runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Far more concerning is whether he will be selected for the World Cup in 2022, with each absence from the national team squad decreasing his odds drastically. Sancho will be hoping that the arrival of Erik ten Hag is the perfect tonic to his Manchester woes.
Loser: Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe rode his wave of great form into the last England squad, making his first competitive appearances for the Three Lions and even grabbing his first goal in an England shirt.
However, illness, injury and poor form have seen his opportunities at Arsenal limited since that international break in March. He has managed 90 minutes just once since then, making just 4 starts from a possible 10 games for the Gunners, and registering just one goal and no assists in that time.
Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Certainly one for the future, Smith Rowe nonetheless did not deserve a spot in the latest three lions camp based on his form. It was no surprise to see him omitted.
Read more:
Manchester United squad assessment: Who should they keep, who should they sell?
3 players deserving of an England recall for Nations League fixtures
