Gareth Southgate has named a 25-man list for the England national team that will face Italy and Ukraine. Ben White, Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been left out of the squad while Ivan Toney gets his second call-up. Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips have retained their places in the team.
Toney’s call-up comes at a time when he is being charged with 262 breaches of the FA’s betting rules. However, he has pleaded innocent to several of them.
England squad to face Italy and Ukraine confirmed
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice
Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney
Marc Guehi has been named instead of Connor Coady, while Callum Wilson drops out to make room for Toney. Reece James makes a return to the squad after being injured at the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate was asked about Ivan Toney’s England national team call-up amidst the charges. And here is what he had to say about the matter:
“The fact is that Ivan is available for his club. There hasn’t been a trial or any judgement as yet so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.
“He’s playing really well. I like his presence in games and he deserves his opportunity.”
