Mueez Ajao
– England have called up uncapped Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi for the friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast this month.
– Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher, Arsenal defender Ben White and Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope have been recalled by manager Gareth Southgate.
– Defender Kyle Walker and forwards Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been left out.
Also Read: England run riot to secure World Cup qualification after scoring 10
– England face Switzerland on 26 March and Ivory Coast on 29 March at Wembley.
– Guehi, a 21-year-old Ivory Coast-born centre-back, has played in all but one of Palace’s 29 Premier League games this season since joining from Chelsea last summer.
– “He’s had a really consistent season – really impressed on and off the ball,” said Southgate.
– “In the biggest games he has been very calm. He’s a junior World Cup winner.”
– Injuries ruled out Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell and Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, while Manchester United’s Luke Shaw is the only recognised left-back in the squad.
– England have never played Ivory Coast at senior level and the match will be their first against non-European opposition since November 2018.
– England will play four Nations League games in June, with trips to Hungary and Germany followed by a repeat of the Euro 2020 final at home to Italy and a home game against Hungary.
– Southgate said the omission of Manchester City defender Walker, who has won 65 caps, will not harm his chances of playing at this year’s Word Cup.
– “I had a chat with Kyle. We felt this was an opportunity to have a look at the two younger full-backs. These young full-backs are exciting,” said Southgate.
– “We know all there is to know about Kyle. He’s a very important player and he’ll be back with us in June.
– “We are very happy with what he’s done. He’s been a huge part of the progress we’ve made with this team and you can see in the biggest matches with Manchester City this year he’s still been a key player for them.”
– Sancho has scored three goals in 23 games for England and was part of the squad that reached the final of last summer’s European Championships.
– He was also overlooked for England’s most recent games, World Cup qualifying wins over San Marino and Albania in November.
– “Jadon’s performances have improved at Manchester United, but it is an area where we have big competition for places,” said Southgate.
– “You just have to look at the other attacking players in the squad: Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Phil Foden.”
– Southgate said “there wasn’t a chance we weren’t going to call up” Manchester United defender Harry Maguire despite criticism of his recent performances.
– “He’s one of our best centre-backs,” Southgate added. “I always get criticised for being inconsistent but there are nuances. We have more competition in the wide areas.”
