England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed his squad selection for the upcoming international break. One of the most notable exclusions is that of Raheem Sterling.
Sterling has scored four goals in all competitions for Chelsea so far this season, and yet has been overlooked once again by the England boss.
“The door is 100 percent still open not only for Raheem but for other players that aren’t in this squad. We do not need to know about his quality, his personality – he is a crucial part about why we have had the journey we’ve had over the last few years”, Southgate stated.
When asked if he had fallen out with the Chelsea winger, he responded “No, but who would I leave out? Performances have been excellent and there’s huge competition for places”.
There is tough competition in the wide attacking areas for England with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and James Maddison all making regular appearances.
John Stones is currently unavailable for selection due to a muscular injury he picked up whilst playing for Manchester City. Luckily, Southgate has a number of choices to pick from in his absence.
“The quality of his play is outstanding… that’s a shame to see him out, but it gives other people an opportunity… and we do need to know a little bit more about some of the players in that area of the pitch.
“It is an area of the pitch where we have had a big turnover in the squad”.
Kalvin Phillip was selected again despite not playing regularly at club level for Manchester City. The former Leeds player has only played 51 minutes of football since the October international break.
“England is a consequence of club [Phillips is] up against world class players at his club so I completely understand why he’s not getting the games. We know the quality of his play”, Southgate said.
He was in the team of the tournament at the Euros, he was our player of the year a couple of years ago so we know he can play at this level and he’s at a club like Manchester City because of the level of player he is”.
England face Malta at Wembley on 17th November, having already secured qualification for EURO 2024.
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayi Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).
