Jermaine Pennant believes Ross Barkley would be a better pick for England than one Manchester City player.
With Euro 2024 just around the corner, talk on who should be in Gareth Southgate’s England team in Germany is continuing to heat up.
The Three Lions are blessed to have plenty of talent to choose from, with Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka – just to name a few – all enjoying fantastic seasons.
Much of the discussion has centred on who will play in midfield alongside the likely due of Bellingham and Declan Rice.
Foden has been making a great case with a string of match-winning performances for Manchester City after finally being given a midfield role by Pep Guardiola.
However, Pennant thinks it’s more likely Foden is named on the wing with another defensive-minded midfielder making up the trio.
The former winger reckons Luton Town’s Ross Barkley is a better pick than one City player in the role.
Ross Barkley named as better England pick than one City player
When asked about England’s midfield and the chance of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo being picked, Pennant said on TalkSPORT: “Exactly, if you’re talking about Mainoo coming in then why not Ross Barkley?
“He’s played a full season now almost, he’s been a top performer. He’s been fantastic.
“So I’m not saying play Barkley instead of Foden, Foden will be in that team as well. But we know Gareth Southgate likes two defensive-minded players there alongside Rice.
“I’m saying Ross Barkley would be a great pick rather than a Kalvin Phillips or Jordan Henderson.”
Will Kalvin Phillips lose his England place?
Southgate has got form for sticking by players even when they are not performing for their clubs, or even playing at all.
Kalvin Phillips has hardly played a Premier League match since his £45m move from Leeds United in 2022 and has really struggled to find form since joining West Ham on loan.
With so much fierce competition, Phillips surely can’t start for England this summer. Even being in the squad would be undeserved.
In an ideal world, Foden would be lining up in midfield to form a sensational trio with Rice and Bellingham.
In reality, though, the 23-year-old will likely be out on the left which does leave a spot in the side up for grabs. Who will take it?
