Marc Guehi was England U21 captain during the previous international break
England have called up undisputed Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi for this month’s friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher, Arsenal defender Ben White and Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope have all been recalled by manager Gareth Southgate.
Defender Kyle Walker and strikers Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are absent.
England meet Switzerland on March 26 and Ivory Coast on March 29 at Wembley Stadium.
Guehi, a 21-year-old centre-back who was born in Ivory Coast, has played in all but one of Palace’s 29 Premier League games this season since Change from Chelsea last summer.
“He’s had a really consistent season – he’s been really impressed on and off the ball,” Southgate said.
“In the biggest games he was very calm. He’s a junior world champion.”
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell and Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips have both suffered injuries, while Manchester United’s Luke Shaw is the only recognized left-back in the squad.
England have never played Ivory Coast at senior level and the game will be their first against a non-European opponent since November 2018.
England will play four Nations League games in June, with trips to Hungary and Germany, followed by a replay of the Euro 2020 final at home against Italy and a home game against Hungary.
Goalkeeper: Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.
Defender: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White.
Midfield player: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse.
Forward: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling.
Southgate said the departure of Manchester City defender Walker, who has 65 caps, will not affect his chances of playing at this year’s World Cup.
“I spoke to Kyle. We thought this would be an opportunity to take a look at the two younger full-backs. These young full-backs are exciting,” said Southgate.
“We know all about Kyle. He is a very important player and will be with us again in June.
“We’re very happy with what he’s done. He’s a huge part of the progress we’ve made with this side and you can see in the biggest games this year against Manchester City that he’s still a key player was for her.”
Sancho has scored three goals in 23 games for England and was part of the squad that reached last summer’s European Championship final.
He was also overlooked in England’s most recent games, the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Albania in November.
“Jadon’s performances have improved at Manchester United but it’s an area where we have a lot of competition for places,” said Southgate.
“You just have to look at the other attacking players in the squad: Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Phil Foden.”
Southgate said “there was no chance we weren’t going to play” Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, despite criticism of his recent performances.
“He’s one of our best centre-backs,” added Southgate. “I’m always criticized for being inconsistent, but there are nuances. We have more competition in the broad areas.”
analysis
Phil McNulty, ` Sport’s chief football writer
Maguire is extremely fortunate to retain Southgate’s confidence given his current dreadful form for United, despite team-mate Rashford paying the price for his downfall.
Maguire must not be under the illusion that he is something of an automatic choice given the inclusion of Guehi and White’s presence.
AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori has arguably had stronger claims than United captain Maguire in the current circumstances and it seems Maguire is keeping loyalty rather than form on Southgate’s mind.
Gallagher is also hoping for another chance after his outstanding form under coach Patrick Vieira at Palace.
Sancho has shown signs of settling down with life at Old Trafford in recent weeks but clearly needs to do more to impress Southgate and win back his place in the squad.
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