Rangers’ Jack Butland is prepared for a significant call-up to the England national team.
All attention is focused on Gareth Southgate’s imminent announcement of the England squad, scheduled for Thursday at 2 PM, with Rangers’ Jack Butland eagerly awaiting the national team manager’s remarks.
It is widely believed that Butland stands a very high chance of being selected, especially considering the lack of quality competition in his position. In fact, it would be genuinely surprising if the currently most outstanding English goalkeeper were overlooked.
However, Southgate has a reputation for unwavering loyalty to certain players, regardless of their current form. This loyalty extends to individuals like Jordan Henderson or Harry Maguire, irrespective of their performance levels.
While it remains uncertain if this loyalty applies to goalkeepers as well, the alternatives for England seem limited, with only Jordan Pickford of Everton and Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone, both of whom are considered overrated, being favored. Among the remaining options, Fraser Forster, Nick Pope, and Aaron Ramsdale face obstacles such as lack of playing time or injury, further enhancing Butland’s prospects.
Yet, Southgate’s tendency to play it safe and avoid upsetting the status quo is well-documented. Despite England’s success in reaching the Euro final last time and their strong chances this summer, there is a sense that Southgate doesn’t fully maximize the talent at his disposal.
Whether Southgate will opt for Butland in goal or make a more conservative choice remains to be seen, and the decision will be revealed on Thursday.
