Chelsea duo tipped for England calls as rival No 10s are considered

Mason Mount is likely to be rewarded with an England call-up after his impressive early-season form for Chelsea, while two rival No 10s are competing for inclusion.

The midfielder has caught the eye for Frank Lampard’s Blues and is expected to be included for next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Boss Gareth Southgate names his squad on Thursday and is a fan of Mount, having invited him to train with the seniors before last year’s World Cup.

The 20-year-old, who has scored two goals in four games this term, was called up for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain in 2018 but is yet to earn a cap.

James Maddison could be handed a first senior call after a good start to the campaign with Leicester, though it seems he will go head to head for a place for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, who has watched by Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland during their 2-0 win over Everton on Friday. The midfielder is very much on their radar, though this squad may have come too soon for the 23-year-old, who could be drafted in next time if he continues his promising form for Villa.

The midfielder played for the under-21s in their disappointing Euro 2019 campaign in the summer.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka endured a nightmare tournament, scoring a late own goal as England lost 2-1 to France in his only game for the Young Lions in Italy and San Marino.

The defender was distracted by Manchester United’s interest, with boss Aidy Boothroyd unhappy with the speculation during the competition, before he finally completed a £50million move from Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.

But he has done well at United and is expected to join the senior side to compete with established right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker.

It leaves Southgate with a selection headache at right-back after he also watched Kieran Trippier in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win at Leganes on Sunday.

 

Southgate considering Abraham

 

Mount is unlikely to be the only Chelsea youngster in the party with Tammy Abraham, who made his senior debut against Germany in 2017, also an option for Southgate.

The striker scored his first two goals for Chelsea in their 3-2 win at Norwich at the weekend.

Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell has been nursing a hip problem, missing the 2-1 win at Sheffield United, but is expected to be fit.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland’s poor early-season form for Stoke in the Sky Bet Championship may see him drop out after he was included in the Nations League squad in the summer.

Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, Southampton’s Angus Gunn or Burnley’s Nick Pope could replace him.

Burnley’s uncapped striker Ashley Barnes seems a long shot for a call-up despite four goals in his first three games for the Clarets.

Dele Alli has been nursing a hamstring injury but is expected to return for Tottenham to face Arsenal on Sunday, leaving Southgate with a decision to make.

Everton’s Fabian Delph is likely to miss out having been battling a groin problem.

England are top of Group A after two wins from their opening two games.