Having three Southampton players in the England squad with the World Cup Finals on the horizon is something else.
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It’s fantastic recognition for the club and a deserved reward for the way they have started this season.
And all I would say to Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez is: keep your form up and get on that plane to Brazil.
They have an ideal opportunity to catch the eye in the two friendlies against Chile and Germany now that there are a few injury concerns in the England camp.
I am delighted for the trio who have worked so hard to get their international call-ups especially when they are not playing for one of the bigger, glamour clubs.
And should they all get a game it will be the first time in nearly 28 years that England have fielded three Saints.
Jay is the latest Southampton player to be picked by Roy Hodgson and he actually looks like the kind of player who will fit into England’s system.
He’s a dynamic player who will give the team a bit of pace with the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missing through injury.
Jay has that little turn of foot that will trouble players at an any level.
I think Southampton fans started talking about him last season in terms of being good enough to play for The Three Lions.
So it didn’t come as a massive surprise when he was called up although it’s certainly a big bonus for him and the club.
Adam has had to wait a little while to get back in but his selection is well deserved.
Last season he didn’t probably find his top form in the Premier League but this term he’s been much more effective.
He’s a very talented boy who can unlock a defence with a little bit of skill and a pass.
He has good vision, two good feet and is the type of player who can unlock a team in a tight game.
And for me it’s nice to see a local Bournemouth lad come up through the ranks not too far from where they grew up.
He has not had a big-money move to make people sit up and take notice of him.
It’s a lot harder to make it into the England squad if you are not playing for one of the country’s top clubs.
And for a local player to do this is fantastic.
I think everyone knows by now how much I think of Rickie and the way he’s worked his way through the leagues to earn his England caps.
He must be very much in Hodgson’s thoughts by now after playing three games for his country.
I know it’s a big squad the coach has chosen for this Wembley double header but it shows all three Saints are in his mind.
And if they keep their form up between now and the end of the season there will be a very good chance they will be going on that plane to Brazil.
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This photograph was provided by Goalden Goals.
