Wright URGES Southgate to select Man Utd academy duo in next England squad

Cameron Smith

• 19 Feb 2024 01:04 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to select both Kobbie Mainoo and Angel Gomes in the next Three Lions squad.

Both midfielders came through Manchester United’s famed academy, with Mainoo breaking through into the Red Devils senior team this season and Gomes shining at Ligue 1 side Lille following his permanent move to France in 2020.

During the next international break in late March, England have scheduled friendlies against Brazil (23 March) and Belgium (26 March), with both games set to be played at Wembley Stadium.

Mainoo and Gomes are both yet to appear in a senior England squad, but Wright believes their form so far this season is deserving of a call-up as Southgate begins to plan his squad for the 2024 Euros.

What has Ian Wright said?

Wright, who made 33 appearances for England during his playing career, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to urge Southgate to include Mainoo in the next senior squad.

“Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad,” he said. “Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we've not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him.”

The former Arsenal forward followed that up with another post just two minutes later, with Gomes the focus of his attention. He wrote: “And equally not seeing enough love and flowers for Angel Gomes and what he's consistently doing at Lille in the center of midfield. Another top performance yesterday. Call him up and have a look at him.”

In the most recent England camp, Southgate named five central midfielders in his squad - Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher - while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer were also listed as midfielders.

However, the Three Lions boss has been frequently told to drop both Phillips and Henderson ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

The former barely played during the first-half of the season at Manchester City and was sent off for West Ham United on Saturday, while the latter moved to Saudi Arabia last year and is now playing for Eredivisie giants Ajax.