I lost out to Mings... and it still stings
BURNLEY STOPPER BAFFLED BY SUDDEN AXING FROM LIONS SQUAD
JAMES TARKOWSKI does not know why Gareth Southgate picked Tyrone Mings ahead of him for England.
Aston Villa’s Mings received his first Three Lions call-up at the expense of Tarkowski for the recent Europe 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo and the Burnley defender admits he is baffled.
Tarkowski, who has won two caps under Southgate, feels he deserves an international recall because he is injury free and playing well for Burnley.
The centre-half will face his international rival Mings, above, today at Villa Park and will be out to show who is boss.
He said: “I don’t know the reasons why I wasn’t picked and he was. From what I’ve seen of him he’s done well. I only see two-minute clips from Match of the Day so it’s hard to get a real opinion, but obviously the England manager has picked him so he must be doing something right.
“I want to be in that team and in that squad. I feel like I’m in the best position I’ve ever been in terms of fitness and the way I’m playing to be in that team.
“I’ve just got to keep trying to perform to the level I have been and hopefully catch the manager’s eye.” Tarkowski, 26, says he last spoke to Southgate before the Nations League in June when the England boss explained why he was leaving him out of his squad for the finals.
He said: “I accepted his explanation, but since then I’ve heard nothing – all I can do is keep my performances high and try to win him round.”
Tarkowski also thanked Villa boss Dean Smith for being so understanding when he was in charge at Brentford in 2016 and the player wanted to leave Griffin Park.
Tarkowski refused to play against Burnley, an act he later apologised for, before he got his move to Turf Moor.
“When he joined it was a difficult time for me because I was trying to leave Brentford,” he said.
“It was difficult for both of us, but the way he treated me means I’ve got the utmost respect for him.”
VILLA (probable): Heaton; Guilbert, Mings, Engels, Taylor; Nakamba, McGinn; El Ghazi, Grealish, Trezeguet; Wesley.
BURNLEY (probable): Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Barnes, Wood.