Southgate reveals why Dele was left out of latest England squad
England will resume their Euro 2020 qualification campaign this month as they take on Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
The Three Lions squad was announced earlier today and while Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Danny Rose once again made the final 25, both Dele Alli and Eric Dier found themselves missing out.
The pair, who have consistently made the squad for the best part of the last four years, were also omitted from Southgate’s previous squad but Alli was still recovering from a hamstring injury back then.
The 23-year-old is now back in action for Spurs but it appears Southgate has been unconvinced by his performances so far.
The England manager has talked about Alli’s exclusion and insisted that he had to pick James Maddison and Mason Mount instead owing to the brilliant starts they have made to the season.
When asked about Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s absence from the squad in his press conference on Thursday, Southgate told Football.London, “It’s a little bit like Dele really where their seasons haven’t really got going for either of them.
“We’re expecting them to challenge in the coming months, but to put them in means I’ve got to leave someone out who is in form and playing well.
“So a Mason Mount or a James Maddison, one of those, they’re in competition with those guys in the squad. So whenever you ask me about who I’m leaving out of the squad, it’s about who I leave out to let them back in.
“It’s a difficult call in those positions in particular and I believe those players will recognise the rationale for the decisions.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Alli certainly can’t have too many complaints at missing out given how well Maddison and Mount have started the season. However, I feel the 23-year-old’s performances for the last year or so have severely been hindered by his injury problems. Once he gets a consistent run in the Spurs side, I expect him to win his place in the England squad back.
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