Ex-England defender Gray points to areas AWB needs to improve to earn international call

Michael Gray has pointed to the areas that Aaron Wan-Bissaka needs to improve if the Manchester United defender is to break into the England side.

England are currently blessed with an abundance of options at full-back with the Three Lions having huge depth at the right-back position, Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold a notable omission from the squad for this month’s fixtures with San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Gareth Southgate has chosen to include Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker as his options for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, once again overlooking Wan-Bissaka for a place in the squad.

The 22-year-old has previously been included but remains uncapped at senior level despite impressing in the Premier League, leading the division for tackles and interceptions combined during the current campaign.

Wan-Bissaka has also shown improvements in his attacking play of late and ranks second amongst all defenders for chances created since the turn of the new year, though former England international Gray believes the defender must continue making progress if he is to break into Southgate’s plans.

“In the final third he’s got to really work on his game.” Gray exclusively told The Football Faithful.

“As a defender and one-vs-one, I think he’s the best in the Premier League, I really do.”

“But sometimes he just looks a little bit nervy on the ball for me and his passing and end product has got to improve.

“If you’re playing for a club like Manchester United, he gives the ball away a little too much for my liking.

“He probably won’t love me for saying it, but I think starts games really slow. I think it takes him 10-15 minutes to get going in a game. I’m not sure if it’s the way his body language looks, but it takes him 15 minutes grow into the game in my eyes.”

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