Gareth Southgate has released his squad for the upcoming October internationals. Fabrizio Romano has reported the news, with several notable players in the squad. This England squad will play Australia in an October 13th friendly as well as Italy on the 17th for fixture eight out of ten in their UEFA Euro qualifying run.
England Squad Announced
🚨🏴 England squad announced…
↪️ Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen, in.
↩️James Ward-Prowse, out. pic.twitter.com/gwVYPOs4kz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 5, 2023
Anticipated Debuts in the England Squad
Two youngsters will make their debut with this England squad. Levi Colwill, a Chelsea centre-back, has previously enjoyed loan spells with Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion. At 20 years old, the UEFA Euro U21 winner is looking to impress with the senior national team. After joining the Chelsea Academy as a child, Colwill has risen through the ranks and has been a regular this season at Stamford Bridge.
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The other player debuting for this England squad is Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. A 24-year-old striker – who has two Premier League goals so far this campaign. Southgate will seemingly favour experienced stars such as Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford over Nketiah, but he could be one to watch in the friendly against Australia.
Diversity in Players Clubs
In the past, Southgate has utilised players almost exclusively from the English top flight. This selection, though, features footballers who play in the Bundesliga (Kane) as well as La Liga (Bellingham) and Serie A (Tomori).
These shifts in player selection have benefitted England. The Three Lions are viewed as one of the top squads to beat in any international competition. Disappointment in the World Cup, which put Southgate under pressure according to some reports, necessitates a run in the 2024 Euros. Players from outside of the Premier League will be integral to that success.
Surprises from Southgate
One player who plays outside the English top flight does not even play on the European continent. Jordan Henderson, the longtime Liverpool midfielder, has also received a call-up. His sale to Saudi club Al-Ettifaq sparked debates among many of his supporters. An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, the 33-year-old opted for a big-money move to play in a nation that is not as open as the UK.
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This England squad also has only six midfielders. The manager’s style benefits from physical defending and strong attackers to score from set pieces. If any of these mostly younger midfielders get injured during these matches, then there could be a shift in playing style to cover the loss. Both of the fixtures will take place at Wembley Stadium.
