Gareth Southgate has been glowing in his praise of Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood ahead of a potential international debut for England this evening.
Greenwood – who has been handed Manchester United‘s famed number 11 shirt for the upcoming campaign – has been called up to the England senior squad for the first time following a stellar breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford, the teenager netting 17 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, making just a handful of appearances in England’s youth teams before receiving the call by Southgate for this weeks UEFA Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark ahead of the delayed onset of the 2020/21 campaign.
The Bradford born forward has earned rave praise for his unerringly clinical finishing ability, the youngster admitting he is equally comfortable with either foot to leave Southgate to admit he was ’embarrassed’ not to know the strikers preferred foot.
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“I have to say it is really rare to see a player as comfortable with both feet – not just in terms of the ability to receive and pass but finishing with both feet,” the England boss said at a press conference. “There aren’t many that I have seen.
“I had to ask a similar question. I feel slightly embarrassed, you pick a player for England and you’re not sure which foot he kicks the ball with but maybe some people won’t be surprised at that.
“With him, the quality of finishing, the way he’s got this icy cold stare, very calm disposition generally, which I think is clear when he’s in and around the penalty box. For somebody of his age, that’s remarkable maturity.”
Greenwood is one of seven potential debutants for England, with Dean Henderson, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Connor Coady, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Kalvin Phillips all being called up to Southgate’s squad, the Three Lions looking to bury some of the demons of their woeful Euro 2016 exit to the tiny island nation.
Level headed Greenwood sets his sights on breaking records following first England call up
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