The captain of Brighton, who has been gradually making his way back into Gareth Southgate’s England team, need to now aim for a spot in the starting lineup at the European Championship.
Joe Cole, a former midfielder for Chelsea and England, thinks he wouldn’t mind seeing Lewis Dunk start for the Three Lions in their opening match at the European Championship in Germany the following summer.
This year, the Brighton captain was brought back into Gareth Southgate’s team, and he made an impression on many when he played in the victories over Australia and Scotland.
Many praised the 31-year-old for his efforts, which made him appear at ease on the international scene. Dunk is now being seen as a strong candidate to play with John Stones at the Euros in the summer of 2019.
His primary rival for that spot appears to be Harry Maguire, despite criticism directed towards the Manchester United defender’s selection in recent months because of his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace and Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan will also be vying for a spot in the England starting lineup at Euro 2024, but Cole, who played for the Three Lions in four international championships, says he wouldn’t mind if Dunk started.
Cole stated on Brighton’s official podcast, “I covered the game in Scotland when he played and I thought he was outstanding, he looked at home in an England shirt.”
He’s currently involved. The four center halves are Marc Guehi, John Stones, Harry Maguire, and Dunk. He’s a fantastic player, but the only unfortunate part is that it’s occurring now, when it could have happened five years ago.
“The fact that he is now there and in the run-in is what matters most. If he were to start the tournament’s opening game, I wouldn’t object. He makes a great center-half for England, in my opinion.”
Cole also spoke of how Dunk’s adaptability to the Premier League impressed him greatly and reminded him of his former Chelsea and England captain John Terry.
“I watched him when he was in the Championship at the end of my career and I was impressed with him,” added Cole. “Talented on the ball but he had a real instinct for defending, I thought he’d be one to keep an eye on.
“I was concerned with how he’d cope with the speed of the game in the Premier League but it’s like John Terry. People wondered if he would be quick enough but John Terry never got beaten. Now he (Dunk) has developed over the years and it baffled me why he wasn’t given an earlier chance (with England).”
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