Nigerian football legend and former Arsenal player, Martin Keown, has publicly urged England manager Gareth Southgate to consider replacing Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford with Newcastle United’s rising star, Anthony Gordon.
Keown firmly believes that Gordon’s outstanding recent performances warrant a call-up to the senior national team.
A Deserving Contender
When questioned about which player Gordon would replace in The Three Lions’ starting XI, Keown confidently expressed his opinion during an interview with talkSPORT.
He stated, “Well, I would remove Marcus Rashford from the England squad to make room for Gordon.”
Keown acknowledged the intense competition in the positions that Gordon and Rashford both play. With players like Jack Grealish returning to fitness and the remarkable form of Phil Foden, who can also occupy the right wing, Keown suggested either Bukayo Saka or Foden for that position.
A More Well-rounded Game
Keown further explained, “Regarding the left side, I understand that Rashford brings explosive pace to the game. However, I personally assess a player’s overall performance and team responsibilities.”
Citing Gordon’s exceptional improvement in recent times, Keown argued that the Newcastle star showcases great potential as an all-round player who can contribute significantly to the team.