Coach Gareth Southgate has just announced England’s focus list for matches in September.
Gareth Southgate has released a list of 26 players called up for two matches in September. Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has been called up for the first time. Similarly, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is also on the list for the first time.
Nketiah is playing very well, scoring 2 goals in 3 appearances in the Premier League this season. He is also the top scorer for the England U21 team with 16 goals.
Some surprising cases, including Jordan Henderson. Al Ettifaq’s rookie midfielder is in the squad even though England’s vice-captain has moved to Saudi Arabia to play football this summer.
Former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips were also given the chance, although neither player has played a minute for their host team this season.
Explaining this decision, coach Southgate said: “With Maguire, we have lost a lot of experienced players in central defense at this point.
Obviously, for Maguire and Phillips, it is not ideal for them not to play. But similarly, Phillips is the best-positioned player to start in his position on the team, behind Declan Rice.”
In contrast, Ben White continues to not be trusted by coach Southgate. Since the incident at the 2022 World Cup, it seems that the Arsenal star is no longer in the British military’s plan.
Notably, Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling was left out despite having a strong start to the new season. He has been Chelsea’s best player since the start of the season and scored twice in the Blues’ 3-0 win over Luton.
Chelsea captain Reece James was not called up due to injury. Some other unfortunate absences include Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope, West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse, and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
England will face Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on September 9, followed by a friendly against Scotland on September 12. In the Euro 2024 qualifiers, the Three Lions got off to a pretty good start. Accordingly, they won all 4 matches in the group containing Ukraine, Italy, North Macedonia, and Malta.
England’s focus list in September:
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan) and Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United). ), 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: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)