Bamford receives maiden England call-up as  TAA returns

 

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford received his maiden England call-up as Gareth Southgate named his first squad since Euro 2020.

With the wounds of their penalty shoot-out final defeat to Italy still raw, the Three Lions next week kick off a World Cup qualification triple-header against Hungary, Andorra and Poland.

Bamford is the only uncapped player brought into the squad, having impressed since Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League last summer.

There is no place for Mason Greenwood, but Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the group, having missed the Euros through injury.

Ben White and Ben Chilwell went to the tournament but are not included in a squad that welcomes back Jesse Lingard, who was cut from the provisional Euros group, and Nick Pope, who missed the tournament through injury.

Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden miss out due to injury.

Southgate explained the process he went through with his coaches after the defeat to Italy.

“We were into the office the following week reviewing the whole tournament. Of course the final was fresh in everyone’s mind, but you have to review everything,” he said.

He said Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, the three players who missed penalties in the final, were eager to “move on”.

Southgate said: “I was in touch with all three of them the days after the final and their clubs were in touch as well.

“They know there is support if they need it, but they are also keen to move on. It is a fresh season with fresh challenges. They are exciting young players with an exciting time ahead of them.”

Southgate was pleased to welcome Bamford into the squad, having worked with the Leeds striker during his time as manager of the under-21s.

He said: “It’s a fresh cycle and we would always pick the bulk of the squad from the summer. We are only two games into the season so we were never going to make big changes.

“Ben White has Covid and Ben Chilwell has not played since the Champions League final.

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“Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford were injured so there was an opportunity in the forward areas. We were pleased with what Ollie (Watkins) did and now there is an opportunity for Patrick as a number nine.

“His progress with Leeds has been excellent, he was very close at the end of last season. We worked with him at under-21 level so we know him anyway and it is a special moment for his family.”

England squad in full…

Goalkeepers: Johnstone, Pickford, Pope.

Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Coady, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker.

Midfielders: Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice.

Forwards: Bamford, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Kane, Saka, Sancho, Sterling.