England manager Gareth Southgate has named four uncapped players in his 27-man squad to face the Netherlands and Italy on 23 and 27 March. Burnley's James Tarkowski and Nick Pope, plus Swansea defender Alfie Mawson and Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook have all been included. There are also places for Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck. Injured Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Chelsea defender Gary Cahill are among those who miss out. Wilshere, 26, returns to the squad, having last played for England in the team's 2-1 defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016. But the midfielder has enjoyed an extended run of games in the Gunners' side. Goalkeeper Pope's call-up is reward for his impressive displays since replacing the injured Tom Heaton at Burnley. The 25-year-old is one of four goalkeepers named in the squad, with West Ham's Joe Hart also included alongside Jack Butland (Stoke) and Jordan Pickford (Everton). Full squad: Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (West Ham), Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley) Defenders: Kyle Walker, John Stones (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Alfie Mawson (Swansea) Midfielders: Eric Dier, Dele Alli (both Tottenham Hotspur), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Lewis Cook (Bournemouth), Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (all Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Jake Livermore (West Brom) Forwards: Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
Cook and Chamberlain? ****ing lol The fact we’re forced to call up the ****ing useless Welbeck sums up the complete dregs we’ve got to choose from up front these days
The England set up is a mess. They should try what Germany did and get a young squad together and give them experience in this WC and then the Euros by the time the next WC comes along they'll be ready to go and a good side. Adding Wilshire is a joke, Welbeck is a mess and Hart wtf?
Dele comes off with a groin strain so they put him in a squad for 2 friendlies...why not try a player you are unsure of? where is the Fulham kid ... sessengon? Why is Welbeck in? 2 goals in 25 matches keeps your place in the England squad? Joe Hart ... there ain't enough s Danny Rose? I mean...seriously? was going to say he was a shadow of his former self but to be honest his former self and his team mates could hide in his current fat bastard shadow. John stones...when was the last time he actually played 90 mins for city? Jake Livermore...I like him as a person but there is no fecking way on earth he should be in the squad. Llanana? Liverpool improved without him during his spell out do not sure that is a good inclusion but at least I get why he was included.
He's lucky to be included at all. His form over the last 18-24 months has been so poor. I still reckon Southgate will pick him as 1st choice in Russia too.
Of course he is. He shouldn't even be in the squad, though. Hasn't played regularly for two seasons and he's been **** when used. Butland and Pickford should play 90 minutes each and go from there.
Why not try Sessegnon in the upcoming meaningless games? The disappointment usually starts after the competition starts, Southgate seeing to it that it starts well in advance this time round.
Glaring omission but it doesn't surprise me. Surely friendlies should be used to test out different players, from in form to youngsters with potential.
