Chris Sutton believes Callum Wilson is a shoo-in to make England’s World Cup squad this month. Despite not playing for the Three Lions in three years, calls are getting louder for the Magpies’ number one to board the plane.
Wilson bagged a brace and set up the other two in Newcastle’s 4-0 rout over Aston Villa - taking his tally for the season to six. Gareth Southgate watched on from the St James’ Park stands as the 30-year-old tore Aaron Danks’ side to shreds.
The England boss is set to name his World Cup squad on November 10 ahead of the opening game against Iran. Newcastle should have two representatives guaranteed to board the plane, with Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope regular fixtures in Southgate’s setup.
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Wilson has made no secret of his desire to return to the fold and declared this his main inspiration for joining Newcastle in September 2020. After Bournemouth’s relegation months earlier, returning to the Premier League was the striker’s key focus to remain in the England picture.
Injuries have hampered that dream but he is now firing on all cylinders just weeks before the World Cup commences. Speaking to BBC 5 Live, Sutton - a one-cap wonder in his playing days - backed Wilson to make the squad.
“There’s not much time, but I think Callum Wilson has to go,” he said. “I think it'll be (Harry) Kane, Wilson and then really interesting because Raheem Sterling is versatile and (Marcus) Rashford is versatile.
“Ivan Toney is a really interesting one because he was in the squad, wasn't he? Gareth (Southgate) picked him but didn't play him. Maybe he has doubts about whether he'll go.
“What we do know is, if Harry Kane is fit, Harry Kane is going to play. But if we’re calling the Premier League the best league in the world and Callum Wilson is playing well and scoring a barrel load of goals, that has to count for something."
However, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards is unsure whether Wilson’s top-flight record has much credence. He retaliated: “Is it the best league in the world though?
“Are we biased towards the Premier League? The Spanish league is very good technically. Of course, the Premier League is the most exciting, but is it the best in class? Can we really say that?”
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