Why Charlie Austin was wrong: what constitutes an England call up?

By Ollie Mudd

Internationally uncapped Charlie Austin took to twitter this month to express his disgust at the exclusion of in-form Burnley Striker Ashley Barnes of the England squad, stating “If playing well and scoring goals in the Premier League you’ve got a chance of breaking into the England squad… I guess that’s not really the case”.

Despite the grammatical slip ups, the striker makes an interesting point. Although, between the lines of this tweet advertising his top tier counterpart, it isn’t difficult to see Austin’s own frustration at been left out of the squad whilst he was on good form for QPR. However, is form the only thing that constitutes a call up for queen and country?

David Nugent, Ricky Lambert, Jay Bothroyd, and Kevin Davies- all names that have represented their country- but without a legacy to attach to them. Flashes in the pan, one hit wonders, and all players based on form.

It’s difficult to muster up an extensive list of players that have gone on to cement a place in the English starting eleven in modern times after been called up based on short term form. Jamie Vardy has managed a 7-goal return in 26 appearances, 1 of which being an important equalising goal against Wales in the 2016 Euro Qualifiers.

Aged 27, Leighton Baines was drafted into the 2012 European tournament after an industrious season at left back for Everton, and maintained his position all the way through up until England’s group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup.

But under Southgate’s tenure, the philosophy has very much changed to a more forward thinking dynamic- he summons potential to his squad. This type of call up strategy has proven to yield more sustainable results.

The list of names that have been drafted to the squad based on potential creates a picture that becomes pretty much beomes synonymous with England Legend. Owen in 1998, Kane in 2015, Neville 1995, Carrick 2001, Joe Cole 2001, Rooney 2003, Beckham 1996. All players brought into the side and honed to become in form players, rather than taking on players who are experiencing their peak.

Now tell me the names Trent Alexander Arnold, Marcus Rashford, Callum Hudson Odoi, Jadon Sacho DON’T excite you more than Ashley Barnes, Danny Drinkwater after his hit season at Leicester, Michael Keane and Tom Heaton?

Adding Ashley Barnes rather then a future Beckham, Rooney or Kane would be truly miserable. Whilst writing this article, Michael Keane has just made an absolute clanger vs Kosovo…cased closed.

By Ollie Mudd