World Cup: Southgate sees Everton’s snowmen melt at Burnley
Tarkowski returning to the Burnley squad was typically comfortable, except for a rare mistake which led to a great chance, missed by Theo Walcott.
But the young Burnley centre back power-washed those cobwebs out with cool composure which turned into Burnley’s equaliser.
It would be a gutsy call from Southgate to take Mee and Tarkowski to the World Cup, but if you look at the state of England’s centre backs, you’d be hard pushed to get a unanimous decision on an alternative pair.
Interesting piece from @Matt_Law_DT saying Gareth Southgate considering call for Burnley defender James Tarkowski to "solve defensive crisis" for England. Lascelles in the mix as well. Squad named next week.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) March 7, 2018
Burnley’s English players certainly would have come off better than any of Everton’s in the eyes of the national coach. As I mentioned before, I don’t see Southgate as the type to take risks, so neither are likely to feature.
Matt Lowton and Nick Pope are also victims of playing in a smaller club than their competition for the national side, as they haven’t really put a foot wrong, indeed, statistically, Pope has been the best English goalkeeper in the Premier League, but they, along with Mee and Tarkowski, will struggle to get a look-in.