Gareth Southgate has named Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe over Manchester United’s big-money summer signing Jadon Sancho in the England squad for the upcoming games.
The Three Lions take on Switzerland on March 26 before hosting the Ivory Coast three days later. Both games will be played at Wembley and Arsenal stars Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White are all expected to play some part in either/both fixtures.
Smith Rowe has been named in the squad ahead of £73 million Manchester United star Sancho. England boss Southgate has explained why.
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Gareth Southgate: Arsenal star Smith Rowe has been better than Jadon Sancho
Southgate was quizzed about his decision to snub Sancho despite the fact that the Manchester United man had found some form recently.
The England boss believes that Smith Rowe and all the other attackers who’ve made the squad have just been better this season.
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He said, as per The Athletic: “The other attacking players are slightly ahead of him (Sancho) in our thinking. Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Emile Smith Rowe.
“Sancho’s performances have undoubtedly improved for Manchester United, but he has to do a bit more.”
The Insider’s View:
Smith Rowe really has been among the best English players in the Premier League this season.
The youngster is Arsenal’s top scorer this term having scored 10 goals in all competitions.
He has been absolutely brilliant and even though he hasn’t played a lot recently due to injuries, illness and Gabriel Martinelli’s fantastic form, he completely deserves his call-up.
Smith Rowe will be joined by Saka, White and Ramsdale and all four of them will have a chance to stake their claim to become regular starters at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
