England Squad Verdict

Gareth Southgate announced his England squad yesterday ahead of their Nation League games against Italy and Germany which will be their final games before the World Cup. Ivan Toney is the only new face to the squad whilst there are recalls for Dean Henderson, Eric Dier and Ben Chilwell.

Ivan Toney deserves his call up because he's been in good form for Brentford this season scoring 5 goals from 6 games. He's proven himself as a Premier League striker ever since Brentford got promoted and his form from both last season and this season has earned him his deserved call up.

Dean Henderson was expected to be recalled as he's had a solid start to the season with Nottingham Forest and first choice Jordan Pickford is currently out injured. Eric Dier deserves his recall as he's made a solid start to the season with Spurs by being a key part of their solid backline. Ben Chilwell like Henderson was probably expected to be recalled as he's had enough minutes under his belt since his return from his ACL injury last year. He might not have been a regular starter for Chelsea since the arrival of Marc Cucurella but when he has played he's impressed.

In terms of the rest of the squad, I was very surprised to see Luke Shaw called up as he's lost his place to Tyrell Malacia in the Man United side. I thought Ryan Sessegnon would be in with a chance of call up as he's had a decent start to the season with Spurs but Southgate has opted for Shaw instead. I was also surprised to see Jadon Sancho not included as he's been in good form for Man United recently. I was very much expecting him to be picked over Jarrod Bowen who hasn't really got going this season with West Ham. Harry Maguire's inclusion will be seen as a surprise to some given that he's lost his place in the Man United team. But I do see why he's been included as he's someone that Southgate trusts.

FULL ENGLAND SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest)

DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker (Man City), Reece James (Chelsea), Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool), Kieron Trippier (Newcastle), John Stones (Man City), Harry Maguire (Man United), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace, Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Luke Shaw (Man United)

MIDFIELDERS: Declan Rice (West Ham), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), James Ward Prowse (Southampton), Phil Foden (Man City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jack Grealish (Man City), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

FORWARDS: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Tammy Abraham (Roma), Ivan Toney (Brentford)