The England national team will play one of two friendlies this week at Wembley Stadium, kicking off with Switzerland tomorrow.
The friendly fixtures are a way to bring in players who haven’t been afforded the chances yet to play for England and are an opportunity to impress manager Gareth Southgate. Players will be looking to impress Southgate as he ponders who will make up his squad for the World Cup later this year.
One player who seems inevitable to be on the plane to Qatar is Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. Despite being consistently great for the national side, the centre-back hasn’t been in the greatest of form for his club, some even criticising his selection for the upcoming friendlies this week.
“Southgate is quite loyal to the players that have played well for him,” says Sommers.
“Yes he’s (Maguire) not had the season he would of wanted at Manchester United so I can understand why people are questioning it, but for me he will still go unless something drastic happens in these games for England.”
From one established England international to a couple of fresh faces in the England camp, as three Crystal Palace players were called up to be a part of the squad for this week’s friendlies.
Palace’s Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell have both impressed this season for Palace, but it’s Conor Gallagher who is starting to make a strong case of being named in the England squad for the World Cup later this year.
“He’s (Gallagher) odds on of all the Crystal Palace players at 8/11 – to make the world cup squad,” said Freeth.
“His energy this season we’ve seen 615 pressures from him – which is the most in the Premier League. Eight goals and five assists; I’m absolutely delighted for him to kick on chain.”
The panel also discussed some of the English players playing overseas, with two in particular in Italy. Tammy Abraham has been a revelation at Roma scoring 15 goals this season in Serie A.
But unlike his former Chelsea teammate, Fikayo Tomori doesn’t find himself in the England set-up despite producing brilliant performances for Serie A table-toppers AC Milan.
The panel discuss the odds of Tomori and Abraham making Southgate’s final selection for the World Cup and more in the episode.
