England manager Gareth Southgate has announced his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers, and Brentford striker Ivan Toney is set to make his international debut after an impressive run of form. However, the squad will be missing key players Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injuries.
Toney, 26, has been in scintillating form for his club, scoring 28 goals in 40 appearances this season. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and Southgate has rewarded him with a maiden call-up to the national team. The manager highlighted Toney’s work ethic and praised his ability to adapt and thrive in the Premier League.
“He’s a player who has developed relatively late in his career, but he’s shown fantastic improvement over the last couple of seasons,” Southgate said. “He’s a hardworking player who has adapted well to the Premier League, and his goal-scoring record speaks for itself.”
However, the England squad will be without two of their star players, as Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling and Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold have been ruled out due to injuries. Southgate expressed his disappointment at their absence but remained confident in the depth and quality of his squad.
“It’s always a blow when you lose players of Raheem and Trent’s caliber, but we have a strong group with plenty of options,” Southgate commented. “We have to focus on the players who are here and make the most of the talent at our disposal.”
In addition to Toney, Southgate has also called up some fresh faces for the Euro qualifiers, including Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Max Kilman. The manager believes that the mix of youth and experience in the squad will serve England well in their quest to qualify for the European Championship.
“We have a great blend of talent, with some experienced players alongside some younger ones who have the potential to be big stars for England in the future,” Southgate added. “I’m excited to see what this group can achieve together.”
England will face two crucial Euro qualifier matches, taking on Moldova at Wembley Stadium on March 24th, followed by an away match against Hungary on March 28th. With new additions like Toney and a strong core of experienced players, Southgate’s men will look to secure their place in the European Championship and build on their recent success on the international stage.
The inclusion of Toney and other fresh talents in the England squad highlights Southgate’s commitment to nurturing a diverse and dynamic team that can adapt to the challenges of international football. As the Euro qualifiers approach, fans will be eager to see how this new-look England side performs under the guidance of their esteemed manager.