Well, well, well,
Gareth Southgate announced the England squad today and it wasn’t short of a talking point or four.
Joe Gomez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham were called up for the first time, while Ashley Young earned a recall.
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But while one door opens another door closes.
Step forward Chris Smalling, who was dropped from Southgate’s squad as he looks to integrate a back three going forward.
Southgate didn’t beat around the bush when explaining why, saying that the Man United defender had been dropped due to his lack of ability on the ball.
Another notable absence was Jack Wilshere.
Wilshere continues to find his feet after injury and has impressed in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign but only has 13 Premier League minutes to his name.
On Wilshre, Southgate said: “I don’t know how you get in an England squad without getting in an Arsenal team?”
Savage.
A refreshingly honest approach from England’s manager.
He’s also picked players on form rather than reputation and looks to be building towards the future.
We could get used to this.
