Gareth Southgate could turn to Jack Butland amid England goalkeeper dilemma with in-form Rangers stopper potentially in line for a first call-up in six years
Given that Jack Butland has acknowledged that he is having trouble finding a goalkeeper, Gareth Southgate may look to the England manager once more.
Even though Jordan Pickford of Everton is still England’s starting goalkeeper, Southgate has few backup alternatives as Euro 2024 draws near.
Since Mikel Arteta brought in David Raya in the summer, Aaron Ramsdale has spent the majority of the season warming up the Arsenal bench. The 25-year-old has played in just 10 games this season.
Nick Pope, 31, of Newcastle is sidelined until at least the end of March following an early December shoulder dislocation versus Manchester United.
Due to a calf injury, Crystal Palace’s 30-year-old Sam Johnstone has been limited to the bench. Dean Henderson, 26, has taken his position and is looking to make an impression. In light of this, Rangers goalkeeper Butland, 30, who last played for England in 2018, may be called up prior to the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March. “We must ensure that we are keeping an eye on everyone.” Jack is among them due to his experience as a goalkeeper and his participation in a major league.
“We have a problem, and things are not clear,” Southgate stated.
“With Nick injured, Sam not playing right now, and Aaron not playing, it’s not the best scenario.”
“We’ll need to watch how that turns out.”
Nine times an England cap, Butland has made an impression at Ibrox after arriving there at the end of the previous season when his Palace contract ended.
In 38 Rangers appearances this season, the former Stoke City goalie has 19 clean sheets to his credit.
Just four friendlies remain for England as they prepare for the Euros in Germany: on March 23 at Wembley, they play Brazil, and on March 26, they play Belgium. This is in response to the Football Association’s request that Southgate’s contract, which runs out in December, be extended to the 2026 World Cup.
They then play Iceland at Wembley on June 7 and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on June 3 before starting their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16.The England manager revealed that he is still unsure about his future and could be convinced to extend his contract to ten years during the UEFA Nations League draw in Paris.
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