Angus Gunn could make his senior England debut on Tuesday night against Brazil says Gareth Southgate.
Talking to the media on Monday, Southgate said that he would have no issue in playing any of the three youngsters called up to the squad from the U21s, Gunn. Dominic Solanke and Lewis Cook, if required.
This is what he had to say, as reported by the EDP
“It`s a very easy squad to settle in to.”
“The senior players are very open, very welcoming. Most of the squad are young anyway so know each other from younger age groups.
“Those (new) guys have fitted in off the field no problem which helps them to fit in on the field – and they`re good players, so in training they look fine.
“We have to see how the game progresses but I won`t have any hesitation in putting them on the pitch.
“Angus has worked with the under-21s with us, he`s playing in the league. The other two – captain of the Under-20 World Cup winners (Cook) and Golden Boot winner in the Under-20s World Cup (Solanke). They`ve got good pedigree, and we won`t hesitate to put them on the pitch.”
This is of course a dramatic rise for all three but especially for Gunn, who is Norwich City`s number one, ahead of the vastly experienced Micheal McGovern. Gunn hadn`t played a league game until he joined the Canaries on loan in the summer and now he`s in the full England squad, possibly on the verge of a cap.
Sadly for the Canary nation, it`s this sort of recognition that seems likely to put paid to any permanent deal for Angus. Yes, he`s one of our own but with Jordan Pickford joining Everton for a reported £30m in the summer, after just one league season as number one at Sunderland, a precedent has been set for what an England U21 goal keeper is worth.
With that sort of price tag, or even two thirds of it if we`re being optimistic, the chances of signing him look like slim and none. Even if we`re promoted, I`d say that sort of fee for a keeper is not going to be good business.
The best we can hope for, with Angus contracted to Manchester City until 2020, is for another loan. The chances of Angus dislodging Ederson at the Etihad are not great though and he needs to play to develop to his full potential.
So, with that in mind and the unlikelihood of a current Premier League team needing a new number one and the chances of any of the three promoted teams (if we`re not one of them) needing a keeper, also on the thin side, another loan could be a valid option.
At the moment though, Angus has a great opportunity to make his senior debut, let`s enjoy the ride.
OTBC