With the African cup of nations about to start and the next set of friendlies not too far away (February) international managers around the globe will be having a look at possible players. My question to you is which saints players do you think would do a job and deserve to get picked by their national managers. I've got to stress this isn't who you think WILL be called up it's who you think SHOULD be called up. The shoe ins are Mayuka, Steven Davis, Yoshida and Gaston. I personally think that; Schneiderlin would do a fantastic job for an ever improving France team with M'vila being the only regular defence mid for france at the minute. Fonte would be good cover for the Portugal centre backs. Pepe and Bruno Alves are both obvious first choices but Fonte has been solid since the first few games. Lambert deserves a call up due to him being the second highest english scorer in the premier league (9 goals) just one behind Jermain Defoe (10 goals) who offers little apart from his immense poaching ability. Lambert's hold up play would be perfect for England along with his penalty prowess. Lallana (providing he's back) has proved himself more than capable to compete in the BPL destroying many international standard full backs, his defensive abilities have improved along with his work rate. If Ashley young plays centrally then surely England have no better options for the left side. Cork has played and I think captained the u21s and played for team GB at the olympics and as such is familiar with the international scene. His workrate would be perfect for the England Midfield. Puncheon should be called up on his form. If the Hodgson is true to his word and calls people up on form rather than reputation then Puncheon should arguably be the most prominent name in the Saints Squad. However if any previous selections are an indicator I reckon Hodgson will go for big names *cough* Liverpool *cough*. Clyne should be looked at for future, the England right back spot is up for grabs with Walker playing dreadfully and Richards injured. The spot is currently Johnson's but I wouldn't put it past Clyne to have nicked the spot by the time the world cup comes round and he should be given a chance to take it in this spate of friendlys particularly as I imagine Jenkinson of Arsenal may be his challenger for the 1st team place in years to come. Luke Shaw should, in my opinion, be given a brief cameo. I rate this lad immensely but theres no doubt that England currently have two world class left backs in Baines and Cole who will probably both get 45 minutes of football each. However both players are in their prime now with Cole already declining and by the time the world cup roles by you'd thing one of them would be out the picture. Assuming this is true that would leave the understudy role open for 2014 and the potential understudies (Shaw, Gibbs and Bertrand) should all be able to make a case for themselves in future friendlies. Although I'm in no doubts that once Shaw gets in the team he'll be impossible to remove.
I have absolutely no doubt that Shaw will be an England regular once Cole and Baines are past their best. His form deserves a call up but I doubt he will.
The only ones I think will get call ups are the 4 at the top who were internationals when we signed them. Sadly caps are largely based on how famous a club you play for is.
Im sorry what are you smoking? Cork in the England squad? The only person i could actually even see playing for england this season is Clyne only because Woy tried to sign him twice and rates him very highly
Well as I said I don't expect any of them to make it at all. However I do think it's worth giving them a go in a friendly. I've no idea what you have against cork, Englands midfield is ageing with Carrick, Barry, Gerrard and Lampard all past their peak. Wilshere and Cleverly represent Englands talented midfielders at the minute with Milner being a possible addition, so what would be wrong with trying out cork? It's not a coincidence that our season turned around when he came into the team.
If Lambert is ever going to be considered for England, then Roy will probably want to try him out in a friendly first. If he doesn't call him up in February, I don't reckon he ever will. I can't see Lallana getting picked this time around.
I think we do have our Saints tinted glasses on here. There are English players all over the premier league who deserve a go at the squad, but won't get one. Don't get me wrong I love Cork but he's not ready for England, nor are Clyne or Puncheon. I hope more than anything Lambert gets a go before he retires and I think Lallana and Shaw have a chance in the future, that's about it though.
They should take Rickie to the World Cup and have him on the bench in knockout games. I think we all know why.
Only one I can see on recent on performances is Shaw, but he would be behind Baines if Cole is rested. Maybe Clyne? Puncheon - No. Lallana - needs to get fit. Lambert - would be in contention probably but is not in the top 3 English strikers.
Lambert is in much better form than Welbeck but I wouldn't be surprised to see him picked ahead of Sir Rickie purely because of the team he plays for.
I think France has too many good midfielders for Schneiderlin to get a look. Most of the Saints players just aren't good enough, bar Lambert but at his age it's probably better to bring in someone younger who could be around for awhile. I might be inclined to give Lallana a look in a friendly if he is healthy, Probably still a little too soon for Shaw and Clyne, although if England is smart they would already be thinking about when/how to transition him into the National side as he looks a strong future candidate. Clyne I think you just keep an eye on and hope he keeps steadily improving. He may make it someday, he may not. Puncheon to me is not a serious candidate nor do I think he ever will be.
I don't think Morgan or Fonte have got a great chance - Morgan obviously has a better chance across his career. Rickie has a long-shot but time is running out and I do believe that Lallana, Clyne and Shaw have the talent to earn a lot of caps in the future.
Some red tinted glasses here. Let's revisit this after trips to Chelsea and United and see how the individuals perform against top internationals in their own back yard
Would be pleased for the player and the club if there was some more International recognition, but do we really want our players involved in extra matches at the moment. Remember Cork and the GB team?
Puncheon for England, are you sure? He has had an excellent season, but rest assured once top defenders realize how shocking he is on his right foot and squeeze him outside onto it he will be a mediocre lower half Premiership winger at best.
I think that none of our players deserve call ups (and exposure to injuries). They should all stay at home and rest up.
Getting in the U21s should be a huge achievement for Shaw and I think he should get called for them. If Lallana had carried on his form instead of getting injured he should be in contention for England, but otherwise no one else really.
Lallana when fully fit is the only one. Shaw is rightfully behind Cole and Baines. U21s definately though. Lambert is the wrong player at the wrong time. 30 years old and playing the game at a time when the target man/supporting striker is going out of fashion. The England ship has sailed for him unless he gets a meaningless call up in a meaningless friendly because all the other strikers are injured. Jay Rodriguez is more likely to get in with some good form and a few more headlne-grabbing dives.
