Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has outlined his desire to earn a call up to the England squad.
Hayden said that Gareth Southgate is more favourable to more attacking-based midfield players, and has limited options available to him in defence.
Speaking to the Chronicle, as relayed on their live blog (09/09 09:02 am) the Magpies’ enforcer admitted he has hopes to break on to the international scene.
“I do think about it,” said Hayden.
“I think the issue is that with the way that England play, they tend to go with a lot more attacking, ‘flairy’ type of players in that area.
“They rarely restrain themselves – from what I see looking in from the outside, Gareth only really has one or two players who can play in that more (defensive) position.”
Premier League rivals Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson started in England’s 4-0 victory over Bulgaria on Saturday, as Hayden stayed in the North East.
OPINION
Hayden has been one of the standout performers in Steve Bruce’s side this season and particularly impressed in defeat when others around him failed to make an impact. Should the 24-year-old continue in the same manner as he has started the campaign, an England call-up will surely be around the corner. Southgate has proved in the past that he isn’t afraid to hand caps to players who aren’t necessarily in the top-six clubs, giving Mason Mount his first call-up when he was on loan in the Championship last season. The former Arsenal man has averaged 2.5 tackles on top of 1.5 interceptions per game so far this season according to WhoScored and has impressed when his sides back are against the wall. Hayden has also averaged 1.8 clearances per game, proving he can sit deeper and help get rid of danger whenever needed. Football has quickly become about the attacking-minded player, but Southgate will know better than anyone that he will need another holding midfield man soon, and Hayden should be that player.
