DBasia.news – .Ahead of two trial matches against the Czech Republic and Montenegro, Gareth Southgate has called the names of players in the England squad. In his squad, he also called for a 20-year-old player, Declan Rice.
Thanks to his great performance and consistency with West Ham United, Rice was called Southgate into the Three Lions squad. Southgate wanted to use his service to ask permission from the Republic of Ireland Football Association (FAI) to have Rice play for England.
As is well known, Rice already has three caps with the Republic of Ireland national team in a friendly match. That is, Rice can still move citizenship. FAI granted it and now Rice is part of the England national team.
“A very big decision when you ask players to switch associations (football), you have to be very sure to feel they have a future with England,” Southgate said, quoted from Sky Sports.
“Nevertheless, there is no guarantee for Declan (entering the England national team). I think that is important because you have to play well to get into the squad,” he stressed.
“The performance is very good, we like what we see in terms of character, attitude and leadership quality. He can play as a defensive midfielder and I have seen him also playing as a central defender. I think he is suitable for the team.”
Rice also hopes to answer Southgate’s trust by giving the best performances for England. After fighting the Czech Republic and Montenegro, England will play the UEFA Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands.
“I am very proud and honored to be chosen by England. I am very happy to start working with Gareth Southgate, coaches and team squad ahead of our match (West Ham) against Huddersfield Town this weekend,” Rice said.
“I have the highest level of difficulty in making decisions regarding the international future, but I have made a decision and now I just want to focus on the future, continue working hard and play as much as possible. I know getting this isn’t easy and I still have to work hard in the future, “he explained.
Here are the names called Southgate in the England national team’s latest squad:
Goalkeeper: Jack Butland, Tom Heaton, Jordan Pickford
Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Danny Rose, Luke Shaw, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielder: Ross Barkley, Dele Alli, Fabian Delph, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Declan Rice
Front Line: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson.