Man Utd target Aaron Wan-Bissaka ‘ready for England call-up’ with Palace boss Hodgson waiting for Gareth Southgate to ring him
Crystal Palace defender has been the star at Selhurst Park this season having enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks
ROY HODGSON has called on Gareth Southgate to give full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka his first England cap.
The Crystal Palace defender has been the star at Selhurst Park this season having enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks.
Just 21-years-old, Wan-Bissaka has emerged as one of the first names on the team-sheet this campaign after a handful of first-team appearances last season.
His pace and directness have made him a real attacking threat to add to his strengths at the back.
And Hodgson, who was sacked as England boss after their dismal showing at Euro 2016, is ready to wax lyrical about his form to the current Three Lions gaffer.
Speaking after Palace's 1-1 draw with West Ham, he said: "I’ll tell him what I think of the player. I’ll give him my honest opinion because it’s something he deserves to hear.
“At the moment he [Southgate] hasn’t done that. We’ve quite often talked about the English players that we have, and it has been on general terms.
"I’ll wait for that moment when the day comes and he actually says ‘right, I really want your serious opinion about Bissaka and how good he can possibly be at full senior international level’, and I’ll tell him what I think.
“If he ever does want to hear my honest opinion on the player, then I’ll certainly be happy to give it to him.
"I won’t be contacting him to give him an opinion and I’m certainly not making any claims for anybody, Bissaka or anyone else for an England place. I leave that totally and utterly up to the England coach.”
England kick-start their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign next month with ties against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
United look set to lose Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian in the summer and Ashley Young will be 34 next season, leaving Diogo Dalot as the only recognised right-back in the squad.
Cesar Azpilicueta plays right-back for the Blues but Davide Zappacosta could leave in the summer and Wan-Bissaka could replace him in the squad ahead of the out-of-favour Victor Moses.