Gareth Southgate considering shock recall for defender that hasn't played for England since 2022
Gareth Southgate is considering whether to recall a defender who hasn't played for England since the World Cup in 2022 as he prepares to name his provisional squad for Euro 2024.
The Three Lions manager will make some tough decisions when he announces a provisional 30-man 'training' squad ahead of this summer's tournament in Germany.
Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford are both in danger of missing the cut, according to the Daily Mail, who also name Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling as someone who faces an anxious wait.
England are certainly blessed with plenty of attacking options but a defensive injury crisis may result in some surprise call-ups, including Bayern Munich centre-back Eric Dier.
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Dier, who hasn't played for his country since their World Cup last-16 win over Senegal in December 2022, is being considered by Southgate, report The Guardian.
He has enjoyed regular first-team minutes since his move to Bayern in January. In fact, back in April, the former Sporting CP defender said he deserves to be a part of Southgate's England side.
“Obviously, I want to be a part of the England set-up and I believe that I should be a part of it, that I’m that level of a player,” Dier said on The Overlap podcast in April.
“I haven’t spoken at all to Gareth Southgate, but you try and play as well as possible for your club and then the decision is out of your hands.
“Since the World Cup, I wouldn’t say that I’ve had any dip in form, I’m playing the best football of my career since (Antonio) Conte came (to Tottenham in 2021) and I’ve carried it on since I’ve been here, and I think I’ve shown that."
He added: “People think that I’m 37 or something, but I’m 30 years-old and am nowhere near the end of my prime and imagine that this will be my prime.
“When I look around the players I’ve played with in my career, like (Mousa) Dembele, (Jan) Vertonghen, (Toby) Alderweireld, (Hugo) Lloris – all these guys, they were 31, 32 and were playing their best football at Tottenham.”
Southgate was asked about Dier after he overlooked the defender for their friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
“Clearly he’s a player we know really well,” the Three Lions boss said. “He’s only had seven starts this season.
“Bayern have had a mixed period but it’s good to see Eric playing. It’s a great move for him, playing for such a big club.
“He’s a player that if we felt he was the best for that role, he could slot easily back in ahead of the Euros.
“I think there is more value for us at the moment in looking at a (Jarrad) Branthwaite, who we haven’t worked with before because we know about Eric.
“If Eric is playing well and is playing better than all the others by the end of the season, we can bring him in. I’m also mindful he’s stuck on 49 caps and that’s nearly as uncomfortable for me, given what he’s given us, as it is for him."
Jack Kenmare