Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are not included in the England squad, while Marc Guehi receives his first call-up; Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is also absent, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea’s Reece James preferred; England hosts Switzerland on March 26 and Ivory Coast on March 29 at Wembley Stadium.
“The other attacking players in the squad are slightly ahead of him at the moment,” Southgate explained, explaining why Jadon Sancho was not named to England’s latest squad.
Many will be surprised by the omission of the Manchester United winger.
After being left out of the previous camp in November after starting just four Premier League games prior to the dismissal of former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the 21-year-old has enjoyed a noticeable return to form.
After missing World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino last year, ex-Germany international Lothar Matthaus told Sky Sports News’ Sancho that leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer was a mistake.
However, he has now made six league starts in the last five weeks, scoring twice and assisting three times. In what has been a disastrous season for United, he is a rare bright spark.
Fifty goals in 137 games over four years at Dortmund, as well as being named to the Bundesliga team of the year twice, prompted United to pay £73 million to secure his long-term signature. Sancho is their future and, despite not being called up this time, an important part of England’s.
Sansom, Dan
Marcus Rashford’s long-term place in Southgate’s squad is seriously jeopardized.
“He’s clearly not at his best, but there’s plenty of time,” England manager Gareth Southgate said. But, with only eight months until the World Cup in Qatar, the clock is already ticking.
The forward’s season was delayed by a shoulder injury, but he has struggled in recent months, scoring just twice since the end of October and starting only two of United’s last seven games.
He came off the bench in Tuesday’s Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, but he appeared unsure of himself, a shadow of his former self. Later, in response to a social media video showing his reaction to hecklers outside, he issued a passionate statement.
