Roy brimming with pride as Wan-Bissaka turns it on for Southgate

Aaron WAn-BissAkA has won more tackles than anyone else in Europe’s elite leagues this season. The number is 71, but the more significant one is that he is only 21. His rise to prominence is astounding. it is little wonder that Manchester City, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Everton have all spoken glowingly about Crystal Palace’s academy product in private. Palace’s chances of keeping him much longer appear slim. But roy Hodgson will enjoy Wan-Bissaka while he can. He was the manager to hand the right back his professional debut, only a year ago last week, and helped mould him into a seasoned performer. Gareth southgate must have noticed ahead of announcing England’s next squad. southgate was at Turf Moor to watch Wan-Bissaka and his team-mate Andros Townsend, and the former won all seven of his challenges, two aerial duels and completed seven clearances. His defensive statistics are stronger than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s this season. His attacking numbers are not so good, however, so Hodgson and England should be buoyed by the buccaneering run he made to lay on Michy Batshuayi’s goal just after half-time. Wan-Bissaka’s confidence is simply astonishing. ‘Aaron’s been out injured for nearly three weeks and watching him here, i don’t think it was noticed that he’s been out,’ Hodgson said. ‘it’s been a meteoric rise. He was thrown in at the deep end and he immediately started producing olympic-style swimming performances. ‘if Gareth was watching Aaron, we are proud of that. And i’m sure he didn’t do his chances any harm.’ southgate’s modus operandi of giving youth a chance should dictate that March brings a new inclusion.