Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks Chelsea defender Reece James will be sweating over his place in the England squad for next year’s Euros.
Reece James snubbed an England call-up for the latest round of international fixtures to work on his fitness at Chelsea and Gabriel Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORT this morning (22/11/2023 at 07:49), does not think it is something that Gareth Southgate is going to forget.
The right-back recently returned to action after a hamstring injury he picked up at the start of the season.
Since coming back, James had clearly done enough to be included in England’s latest squad, with Southgate actually calling him up. However, the 23-year-old thought it would be better for him to remain at Cobham.
Raheem Sterling also stayed at home, but he was left out by Southgate, a decision Graeme Souness did not agree with.
Gareth Southgate could overlook Reece James now
Agbonlahor would now not be surprised if Southgate decided to exclude James from his Euro 2024 squad.
Speaking to Alan Brazil on talkSPORT, the former England forward said: “He likes to keep grudges, Gareth, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets dropped for the Euros.”
Brazil responded by saying: “But he’s just come back from a long-term injury. Does that not make sense against the two teams we have played?”
Agbonlahor then went on to stay: “I agree, stay at Chelsea, get fit and get back to speed but Gareth will look at it like he’s not come away with us and worked with us, maybe. I don’t know but I think he could use that against Reece James.”
Gareth Southgate would be making a huge mistake
If James is fit, he has to go to Germany next year. Southgate would be making a huge error by leaving him at home.
The England international is one of the best full-backs in the world. In Chelsea’s recent 4-4 draw with Manchester City, he made an impressive five tackles in just the first 45 minutes of the game.
People talk about how good James is going forward, but he is also great at defending.
The Chelsea captain is the kind of right-back you want when coming up against a skilful left winger. It would be silly to leave him behind.
Southgate does have other options, the likes of Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but James may just be the best of the lot.
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