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da fazobetai： 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…
Joe Gomez’s chances of becoming a regular for England have been boosted despite him not playing a minute over the international break.
The 22-year-old was left out of the side by Gareth Southgate, who instead opted to start Harry Maguire and Everton’s Michael Keane.
Without John Stones in the squad it was an opportunity for a different centre-back to stake their claim for a starting place, and after his performance against Kosovo, in which he gave away the first goal, it looks all the more surprising that Keane got the nod for both of the Three Lions’ matches.
Gomez has started just three games this term and that may be why he was omitted, but Keane’s displays could well have done him a favour.
The Liverpool man has been described as England’s best defender by former striker Darren Bent due to his “powerful” nature. Added to that, he is also skilful with the ball at his feet and has shown composure in playing out from the back – boasting an 87.5% passing accuracy in the Premier League last season.
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Such reliability on the ball could place him above Keane in the pecking order due to the 26-year-old’s sloppiness in possession – the Everton man also gave the ball away on nine occasions, which was the fourth-most of any England player on the night, as well as handing Kosovo their first goal.
Southgate expressed his willingness for England to continue playing out of the back after costly errors against the Netherlands in last season’s Nations League clash, but also a desire to see the Three Lions improve in that aspect.
While Gomez remains one of England’s best centre-back options in that regard, Keane has shown he’s not quite up to the task. Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder.
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