England's squad for the upcoming international break has undergone a significant change following the withdrawal of Eberechi Eze. The Arsenal midfielder was forced to pull out due to a calf injury sustained during the League Cup final defeat to Manchester City. In his place, Thomas Tuchel has called up Harvey Barnes, who will make his second appearance for the national team after earning his first cap in October 2020 against Wales.
Barnes has been in impressive form for Newcastle this season, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. His experience in the Champions League, where he scored a crucial goal against Barcelona, will likely be a valuable asset to the England squad. The Newcastle winger will join a familiar group of players, including Aaron Ramsdale, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Anthony Gordon, who are all part of the expanded 35-man squad.
Tuchel plans to split his squad into two groups, with a core group of players joined by a rotating cast. This approach will allow the England boss to get a more comprehensive look at his squad before making the final cut for the World Cup. With the friendly fixtures against Uruguay and Japan just around the corner, Tuchel will need to make some tough decisions to trim his squad down to the required 26-man side.
💡 NaijaBuzz TakeHarvey Barnes' surprise recall to the England squad is a timely boost for the Newcastle winger, who has been in scintillating form this season. With his experience in the Champions League and impressive goal-scoring record, Barnes is likely to play a key role in the upcoming friendlies. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze's withdrawal is a setback for the Arsenal midfielder, who had been hoping to revive his international career.
