Southgate Calls Up Four Youngsters for Nations League Tests
England manager Gareth Southgate has handed first international call-ups to four promising youngsters: Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Noni Madueke, as he prepares for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The quartet's inclusion signifies Southgate's commitment to fostering talent within the national setup, with the emphasis on injecting youthful vigour into the squad.
The call-ups reflect the continued influence of former England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley, who played a pivotal role in nurturing the talents of these players during his tenure. Notably, six members of Carsley's inaugural Under-21 squad, including Gomes, Madueke, Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Levi Colwill, triumphed in the 2023 Under-21 European Championship.
Gomes, a technically gifted attacking midfielder, left Manchester United for Lille in 2020 after breaking into the Red Devils' first team at the tender age of 16, becoming the youngest player to do so since the legendary Duncan Edwards in 1953. His inclusion follows a successful start to the Ligue 1 season, despite a recent head injury sustained in a match against Reims. Carsley, highlighting Gomes's attributes, said: "Angel is very technical, he controls the game with his skill and his technique. He is very determined, has a great attitude and loves football. I think he is a player people will be excited to see."
Gibbs-White, a highly-rated midfielder, has also earned his first senior international cap after impressing with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. His energetic and creative style of play, coupled with his success at Under-21 level, have earned him a spot in Southgate's squad. Carsley spoke of Gibbs-White's potential, saying: "Morgan is a very attacking player, full of energy, very creative, very exciting. He has been really successful with England and I thought that was important."
The call-ups of Livramento, a talented right-back currently playing for Southampton, and Madueke, a winger with a penchant for goals for PSV Eindhoven, further demonstrate Southgate's eye for promising talent, both within the domestic leagues and across Europe. The inclusion of these four players suggests a potential shift in Southgate's approach, focusing on developing a new generation of players to lead England into the future.
As England enters a new era, the emergence of these young talents adds an exciting dimension to the national team's prospects. With their talent and potential, these players have the opportunity to contribute significantly to England's success in the upcoming Nations League matches and beyond.
