Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Are calls for this Newcastle star’s international return too premature?
After scoring potentially Newcastle United’s most important goal this year, calls for Andros Townsend’s England recall have started to emerge again.
However, is it that the former Tottenham Hotspur man is enjoying a purple patch and undeserving of a place in the team, or is this form just what is needed in the England setup?
Arguments for the inclusion of Townsend begin with his form for England on previous opportunities.
With only one full 90 minutes appearance to his name, six substitutions on to the field and three substitutions off, Townsend has still managed to grab three goals, one of those effectively sealing England’s World Cup qualification in 2014.
The role Townsend played in England’s first goal and the curling finish for the Three Lion’s third, along with his performance against Montenegro earned the 24-year-old a man of the match award.
However, his call-up was met with pessimism as to claim Townsend’s club form didn’t deserve a place in the squad. The player himself replied with an emphatic performance, before on social media.
His consistency since his January transfer from Tottenham to Newcastle has also been worthy of a recall. Having played seven full games from 11 appearances since his move to the North East, fitness worries seem to be no longer an issue for Townsend while his run of games is allowing him to show his best form.
In just his second game, the confidence appeared to have returned, with the knowledge that he would get game time at St. James’ Park. He created four key chances as the Magpies earned a crucial 1-0 win, and more importantly, three points against West Brom.
Townsend has since gone on to create 19 chances with two assists and it is only a matter of time before his service and Mitrovic’s goal-scoring instincts form a deadly partnership.
Roy Hodgson is also a keen supporter of Andros Townsend having blooded him into the international setup in the World Cup qualifiers and will no doubt have kept an eye on the Newcastle winger.
Goal-scoring appearances in the wins against Swansea and Crystal Palace will have been taken note of while his willingness to work defensively may differentiate Townsend from the other wingers available when Hodgson is making his final selection.
Nine interceptions and eight clearances have epitomised the former Tottenham man’s hard-working ethic, pleasing new boss Rafa Benitez allowing him to maintain his starting place.
His defensive work-rate could come into use against possession-based teams in the summer. Spain first that springs to mind.
England may spend a large portion of a game behind the ball, needing a player, of Townsend’s ilk, to work defensively before bursting forward and providing the fatal counter-attacking blow.
There’s also claims for his inclusion due to the lack of quality in his position. Capable of playing on both wings, Townsend may head the wingers category in terms of form and fitness.
Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard are all in competition for the wide spots in a likely 4-2-3-1 formation. Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana may also play out wide.
Yet none of the aforementioned players are playing regularly for their respective clubs, with exception to Lingard and Lallana. So with the consistency of games Townsend has had, he may be seen as the most suitable option.
Hodgson will likely take three to four wide men, 3 if he wants a 5th striking option. Therefore, with Welbeck being a striker, three of the six are likely to miss out on a place on the plane.
Lallana may be the first option due to his ability and he is a clear favourite of Hodgson’s. Sterling is probably the 2nd choice, while the 3rd option is anyone’s guess. All have their qualities, yet in terms of recent game-time, Townsend is the obvious pick.
Yet, such is the nature of English football. Townsend has only scored a free-kick – albeit a huge one in terms of the fight for survival – against Crystal Palace, to merit claims of an England call-up.
Having four goals in 11, his form has improved since his transfer. Nonetheless, before his goal yesterday, no-one had even thought about his recall.
Townsend could also be classed a failure at Tottenham.
The winger performed well under Tim Sherwood but never pushed on when Mauricio Pocchetino arrived. He would then only play three times before his move to Newcastle, showing his inefficiency in a high-pressing attacking outfit – something of which England try to replicate.
Having been forced out the Spurs line-up by Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli, it was clear to see Townsend never had that consistent quality international players have, apart from the occasional flash of brilliance. epitomise this.
The debate will rage on if Townsend aids Newcastle to safety – will he or won’t he be on the plane?
It could be a case of too little too late or has Hodgson’s eye been caught by the reemergence of a past favourite? This selection story is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Featured Image – All Rights Reserved by .