Liverpool’s Joe Gomez named in England Under-21 squad after impressive start
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Following a solid start to the season, England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has rewarded Liverpool defender Joe Gomez with his first international call-up.
Having signed from Charlton Athletic in the summer, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers’ initial plan was to send the 18-year-old out on loan, though after he impressed in pre-season, the Northern Irishman decided he wasn’t going anywhere.
In fact, he was that impressive, that he was a shock starter in Liverpool’s first game of the season away at Stoke City, containing a very experienced and tricky customer in Jonathan Walters, which led to him retaining his place and becoming their first choice left back, keeping out Alberto Moreno.
His future looks bright, if he can stay injury-free, though he is also adaptable, able to play at centre half and right back, comfortable on either foot, possessing pace in abundance, strong in the tackle and composed on the ball. Rodgers it seems, uncovered quite a gem for his side who are 16/1 with Coral to win Premier League.
He is expected to feature for the Under-21s in friendly fixtures against Norway and the USA, though exactly in what position Southgate will pick him remains to be seen.
Also named in the squad is new Spurs man Dele Alli, who dispatched against Leicester City, plus Norwich’s Nathan Redmond who has also had a great scoring start to life in the Premier League.
Full England Uunder-21 squad:
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Manchester City), Jordan Pickford (Preston North End, on loan from Sunderland), Christian Walton (Bury, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Brendan Galloway (Everton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jack Stephens (Middlesbrough, on loan from Southampton), Matt Targett (Southampton)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Forwards: Chuba Akpom (Hull City, on loan from Arsenal), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), Solly March (Brighton & Hove Albion), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Duncan Watmore (Sunderland), James Wilson (Manchester United), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham)
