Joe Gomez, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer have all been included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for England’s international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium this month.
As reported by The Athletic earlier on Thursday, Kalvin Phillips and West Ham United team-mate James Ward-Prowse are both not included, although Jarrod Bowen has been selected. Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, meanwhile, has earned his first call-up, as has Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.
Phillips was in England’s last squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in November. The 28-year-old, who is on loan at West Ham from Manchester City, has struggled for consistency over the past year due to a lack of game time.
Gomez, 26, has impressed under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp this season, having deputised at right-back in recent weeks for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has also played at left-back during this campaign. It is the first time Gomez has been named in an England squad in four years, having not been called up since October 2020.
Palmer, meanwhile, has enjoyed an excellent season with Chelsea since his £40million ($51.1m) summer move from Manchester City.
The 21-year-old is their top scorer this season with 15 goals in 36 matches across all competitions and has also registered 11 assists. Palmer has predominantly featured off the right flank for Chelsea but has also played as a No 10 and a No 9.
Palmer has 26 goal contributions across all competitions for Chelsea this season (Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Gordon, 23, was expected to challenge for a place in Southgate’s squad after an impressive season for Newcastle where he has managed 10 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.
However, he was forced off in the first half of the defeat at Chelsea earlier this week with what Eddie Howe later described as a knee problem. Newcastle, though, are confident he has avoided any serious damage to his knee.
There is also a return to the squad for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, with this his first selection since he called up to England’s squad last March and made his debut as a substitute in a 2-0 victory against Ukraine.
The 27-year-old, however, faced an eight-month ban from football for breaching the Football Association’s betting rules last May. He made his return to action against Nottingham Forest in January and has since netted four goals in nine appearances this season.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Key dates
- Wednesday, March 20 — open training
- Saturday, March 23 — England vs Brazil (Wembley Stadium)
- Tuesday, March 26 — England vs Belgium (Wembley Stadium)
(Top photo: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images, Alex Pantling/Getty Images, Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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