Mawson tells of Southgate ‘transfer’ call
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ALFIE Mawson has revealed that Gareth Southgate told him to leave Swansea City if he wanted a chance of playing for England.
The centre-back joined Fulham this summer in a deal worth around £20 million.
The England boss informed the 24-year-old that he needed to be playing at the highest level possible in order to get selected by his country.
Mawson was called up by Southgate for friendlies against Italy and the Netherlands last March but he remained unused by the ex-Middlesbrough manager and missed out on World Cup selection.
The defender told the Daily Mail: “The last time I spoke to him I was at Swansea in the thick of things in the relegation battle and he said realistically if you want to get back into it obviously the Premier League is a must.
“My first and foremost thing is to get into this side and I’m sure if I do well and I play well then Gareth will make a decision. I respect whatever decision he makes, but I’ve had a taste for it and I would like to get the full thing.”
Mawson made his bow for the Cottagers in midweek, featuring in the Carabao Cup second-round win over Exeter, after knee surgery this summer.
His SA1 departure was keenly felt, as Federico Fernandez, Jordi Amat and Kyle Bartley also left during the off season.
But the emergence of Joe Rodon and the loan signing of Cameron Carter-Vickers has softened the blow to a certain extent.
Still, more signings are needed and Graham Potter will want more bodies in through the door by the end of the loan window deadline.
Mawson, meanwhile, has his eyes on getting in the Fulham starting line-up before he gets carried away with England talk.
He added: “I’m not going to get picked for England if I’m not even in the starting XI for the Prem side.
“So, for me, that’s the most important thing and whatever I can do on top of that then fantastic. It’s always an honour to get called up whatever age group for your country. But at the moment I’m in no rush for that one. My main aim is to get into the side and cement my position there.”