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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
England’s upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo could present a chance for some squad players to get the opportunity to impress.
One area of the squad Gareth Southgate looks to be experimenting with is central defence, with Harry Maguire the only centre-back called up with more than ten caps to his name.
Joe Gomez and Michael Keane have featured under the England manager before but for Tyrone Mings it is the first occasion he will get to impress Southgate first-hand, as this is his first-ever call-up.
For Everton’s Keane it is a brilliant opportunity to stake a claim in Southgate’s team and ensure he becomes a permanent fixture in the squad moving forward.
The 26-year-old has seven caps so far, the last of which came against Montenegro earlier this year, and with usual regular John Stones missing from the squad there is a spot which needs filling alongside Maguire.
In the five competitive matches he has played for England since coming back into the set-up under Southgate, Keane has been on the winning side on every occasion, and his form has also been impressive in the Premier League.
He has contributed to two clean sheets in four league games for the Toffees this term, and in his last ten games in the Premier League in 2018/19 he reduced the opposition to just six goals, despite playing Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea.
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Therefore, he has earned his call-up on merit and is more than capable of dealing with the threat posed by striker Ivelin Popov. The former Burnley player is a good physical presence, as evidenced by his average of 18 duels won per match this season, so he will likely keep the Bulgaria skipper quiet.
Players like Keane need experience if they are to become an international regular, and with England in a commanding position in Group A this is an ideal opportunity to bed-in players with a small number of caps – Southgate’s squad suggests he thinks the same.
There are six competitive matches remaining until Euro 2020, and the Everton defender now has the perfect opportunity to try and cement his starting XI spot alongside Maguire.
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