England set for return to action
After an around 10-month hiatus, England are finally set to return to action next month.
The Three Lions last played all the way back in November of 2019 with Covid-19 seeing their March friendlies and, of course, Euro 2020, put on hold.
Now though, Gareth Southgate and co. are gearing up for a return to Nations League action.
England did fairly well in the inaugural Nations League tournament, finishing 3rd overall.
They are now set to play their first two Nations League ties of 2020/21 in September.
England have been drawn in League A Group 2 along with Belgium, Denmark and Iceland.
And it is the latter of those two outfits who they will face next month.
The Three Lions will play Iceland on September 5th before taking on Denmark four days later.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: England manager Gareth Southgate is pictured during an England Squad Announcement and Press Conference at Wembley Stadium on August 29, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
England’s latest 25-man squad
Now, on Tuesday, Southgate has announced the 25-man squad set to take part in the two aforementioned ties.
For the most part, Southgate’s latest squad was pretty standard, though there were a few big changes.
Ben Chilwell, who is still recovering from an injury, missed out altogether with Southgate not naming a single natural left-back in the squad.
Harry Maguire was also included in the squad, despite the centre-back’s current legal issues after an incident in Greece. Southgate had the below to say on selecting the Manchester United stopper:
Southgate on Maguire: “I’ve spoken with Harry, I have the insight to the story which is very different to what’s being reported. You can only make decisions on facts you’re aware of… If facts and info change, I’ll have to review the decision.”
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) August 25, 2020
Midfield was perhaps the most interest area from the 25-man squad though.
Southgate would hand first senior call-ups to both Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips whilst there was no room for Jack Grealish, Dele Alli or James Maddison.
Jordan Henderson was not included either but is believed to be injured. Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse also earned a rare call-up.
The full 25-man squad can be seen below:
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Trippier, Gomez, Dier, Maguire, Keane, Mings, Walker.
Midfielders: Foden, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards: Abraham, Greenwood, Kane, Ings, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
Here is your first #ThreeLions squad of the year!
Gareth Southgate has named a 24-man squad for next month’s #NationsLeague games against Iceland and Denmark.
— England (@England) August 25, 2020
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