England’s Squad Announcement Surprises: Watkins and Bowen In, Sterling and Mount Out

by · October 5, 2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen earn spots in England’s squad due to their stellar form, despite significant players being absent.
  • Neither Raheem Sterling nor Mason Mount find a spot in Gareth Southgate’s selection.
  • John Stones returns despite a prolonged absence from play due to a hip issue.
  • Notably, no recognized left-back has been selected for the upcoming matches.

Striking a Balance: The Noteworthy Inclusions and Exclusions from England’s Squad

Gareth Southgate, the manager steering England’s national football team, has rolled out a few surprises in his recent squad announcement. Notable recalls for Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen, owing to their praiseworthy form, mark the headlines, while some key players find themselves absent from the list.

The Inclusions: Rewarding Form and Fitness

Watkins and Bowen find themselves back in the England lineup thanks to their commendable performances recently. Watkins, after netting a hat-trick for Aston Villa against Brighton, and Bowen, with five goals this season, including key scores against Liverpool and Sheffield United, have solidified their spots in a competitive squad. Southgate articulately noted about Watkins: “While we shouldn’t only focus on recent performances during selection, he is in good form and joins us on a high.”

The Exclusions: Raising Eyebrows

Southgate’s decisions have also come with notable omissions. Sterling and Mount, both accomplished and significant contributors in their respective roles, have been overlooked this time around. Though Mount has recently made a comeback post-injury, this marks a scarce instance of him being fit and not being picked by Southgate.

Defensive Choices and Injury Shadows

A sigh of relief for fans as John Stones finds a place in the selection, despite not having played since 6th August due to a hip injury. His return, albeit directly to the bench for Manchester City recently, offers additional options defensively. However, in the defensive landscape, there’s a conspicuous absence of a recognized left-back, considering injuries to Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw. Options for that position might include Kieran Trippier and Levi Colwill.

Southgate’s Strategy and Commentary

Commenting on the selection, Southgate emphasized the importance of stability and satisfaction with the performances of the wide players in recent matches. He notes,

“The team are playing really well, so clearly there is some stability there.”

He also underscores Bowen’s performance as a deciding factor for his inclusion, especially looking towards the Australia match as a chance to explore different strategies.

Southgate, however, expressed his less-than-enthused perspective towards Fifa’s recent announcement of the multi-continent, six-country 2030 World Cup. Without any clear stance on player welfare concerning the announcement, he light-heartedly mentioned,

“I shall enjoy an invite to Buenos Aires as a TV pundit if that’s the plan.”

Looking Ahead: Anticipations and Expectations
The forthcoming matches, a friendly against Australia and a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, under this revised squad bring forth a blend of excitement and anticipation. With Southgate’s strategically balanced team, eyes will be keenly set on how the manager navigates through these critical matches, utilizing the recalled talents and managing the notable absences effectively. It will be fascinating to observe the adaptations and strategies employed on the pitch, ensuring the spirit and performance of the team are maintained at their zenith.

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Tyler Potts

Tyler Potts is experienced football tipster and blogger. He has over two years of experience as a freelance football analyst and journalist. His hobbies include team sports, windsurfing and climbing. He loves the Bundesliga and the German national team. Tyler is invariable part of BettingID’s journalist team.

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