Why Callum Wilson Must Be In Gareth Southgate’s World Cup England Squad

Off the back of another performance in which Callum Wilson has scored, serious questions will be asked of Gareth Southgate if the Englishman does not make his final World Cup squad.

Since coming back from injury at the beginning of October, Wilson has found the net on four occasions and assisted a further two goals in six PremierPINC
League appearances – one of the most in form return rates.

There is competition behind Harry Kane, who will undoubtedly be England’s first choice number nine heading into the tournament under Southgate. Behind him, along with Wilson, there are the likes of: AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

It is likely that Southgate only opts for one of those centre forwards, with potentially Marcus Rashford – should he get the nod – filling in as the nine, should he be needed which is unlikely.

Wilson’s form is imperious right now to any other English centre forward around Europe, and has clearly formed a very fruitful and successful partnership with right back Kieran Trippier, who continues to find him with his expert delivery.

The Newcastle United striker is more of an old school back-to-goal forward, but is fantastic and bringing others into play around him and has fantastic feet and technique in-and-around the box. On another day, against Aston Villa, he could have quite easily found the back of the net four times.

The Three Lions need in form players as well as those that Southgate trusts. The England manager is likely to call up players who have been out of form for the best part of a year, such as Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, to the disapproval of the masses.

However, Southgate also needs to bring players in who can make the difference here and now. Wilson has previous with the Three Lions, having been capped four times and scoring his only goal against the USA in 2018.

Another bonus point for Wilson is his unnerving rate in front of goal from the penalty spot. There are going to be times in which England are taken to penalties, just as they were in the past two international tournaments, and having Wilson step up and do what naturally comes to him is essential. Toney, it must be said, is also incredibly successful from the spot.

There is an argument to be said over Wilson’s poor injury record, but given the World Cup is only six weeks long, should England make it all the way, the England international should be able to get through it unscathed. He would also be only used, initially, when games were wrapped up.

Southgate has important calls to make and big decisions that look balanced on a knife’s edge right now, but Wilson deserves his chance to go to a major tournament with England and show he can deliver on the grand stage.