Last season, just prior to the World Cup in Russia, an AFC Bournemouth player was called up and won an international cap with England for the very first time.
Lewis Cook, having previously captained England to World Cup triumph with the Under 20’s just missed out on the squad for the World Cup and has not featured since.
Now AFC Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson is aiming to try and break into that England squad alongside FIFA World Cup golden boot winner Harry Kane.
Many might have thought that Wilson would have had his chance with England by now, but two severe knee injuries have thus far prevented him from showing his natural talent in the Premier League.
Despite spending a combined total of around 15 months on the sidelines due to injury, he has still netted 25 times in 72 appearances.
Quick off the mark 😍 pic.twitter.com/Nmuaz8OEay
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 3, 2018
Wilson scored the opening goal of the game against Manchester United on Saturday. It was his 50th goal in Cherries colours.
12 | There it is – 50 #afcb goals for @CallumWilson! 🙌
What a goal it is, too! Lewis Cook with a wonderful pass to Stanislas, who centres for Wilson to fire home!#BOUMUN 🍒 1-0 ⚪ pic.twitter.com/3IGEUpwkTo
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 3, 2018
With 6 goals and 4 assists during the opening three and a bit months of the 2018/19 Premier League campaign, no Englishman has contributed more goals and assists combined in the top flight of English football thus far this season.
It would seem that Callum Wilson is now as close to an England call-up as he has ever been, with the latest international window looming at the end of this month.
The media have got behind him as an option…
"Why is Callum Wilson not getting an opportunity ahead of the likes of Danny Welbeck?"@chris_sutton73 says #AFCB's top scorer "deserves" to be in Gareth Southgate's next #ThreeLions squad 👇 pic.twitter.com/IhFnU8h8xe
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) November 2, 2018
And, rather unsurprisingly, AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe also backs him to get a call-up.
Howe told the Daily Echo…
“He is certainly going to be in Gareth’s mind, I have no doubt about that.
“Callum just has to keep doing what he is doing. If he continues to score and play well, then I think it will only be a matter of time.
Wilson being an inform striker, full of confidence, also backs himself to get a call from England manager Gareth Southgate, who incidentally, is also the manager who gave him his only England Under 21’s cap.
Wilson also told the Daily Echo…
“…I’m going to focus on Bournemouth and if an England call comes, then it does, and if it doesn’t then I will keep working hard like I have been.
“We’ve had a few international breaks and I haven’t made the cut.
“That’s given me more drive and determination to make the squad and, hopefully, one day it will happen.
“All I can do is keep getting assists and goals and try to be consistent in my performances.”
Your say…
davygravy wrote…
We all know that Callum still probably misses too many chances but overall, his full game has improved so much this season. He’s creating chances as well as scoring them and his hold up play and work rate easily deserves a call-up.
If he doesn’t get a chance after this start to the season, there is something wrong. Southgate bangs on about using players in form who are playing….his last squad didn’t fully reflect that statement though.
I do also think Lewis deserves a call-up next time, he is now playing every game and for his long-term development with the squad, would be a good time to get him another game.
Sadly…I don’t think Adam Smith is quite up there with his positional rivals and as for Steve Cook, plenty good enough this season for a squad place but can’t see him being chosen now. – Join the conversation, click here.
AFCB Vital sponsors of Cherry Bear and Supporters Travel
