Gareth Southgate: "It's very difficult to score against Hungary"

2021. augusztus. 27., 18:33 |

With less than a week to go until the World Cup qualifier against England, head coach Gareth Southgate has announced his squad, one which is made up mostly of world stars and silver medalists from this summer's European Championship, although Patrick Bamford of Leeds United has been called up for the first time. Southgate has told mlsz.hu that he expects a difficult match in the Puskás Arena next Thursday.

Injured duo Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, as well as Ben Chilwell and Ben White, the latter of whom tested positive for coronavirus last week, are absent from this latest England squad, but returning to the fold are Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool and Jesse Lingard, who had an excellent latter half of last season at West Ham United having moved on loan from Manchester United.

"During the summer, we thoroughly analysed the Hungarian team's matches," Southgate told mlsz.hu. "We know there was an incredible atmosphere in the stadium and that three of the best teams in Europe had a very difficult time against them, especially in Budapest, where their team was tremendously motivated and played excellently, causing serious problems for their opponents and proving that it's very difficult to score a goal against this Hungarian team. Even when they were defeated against Portugal, the Portuguese could only break through very late on".

The England national squad:

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atlético Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Attackers: Patrick Bamford (Leeds United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

The England squad will arrive in Budapest on 1st September.