Holgate is hoping for call-up
MASON HOLGATE is having the time of his life but there’s one piece of the jigsaw missing – a call from Gareth Southgate.
A regular at Everton, learning his trade under Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti and a new five-year contract in the bag, Holgate’s career is flying as he heads to Chelsea today.
England boss Southgate was at Goodison
Park a week ago as Everton drew with Manchester United and an England call ahead of Euro 2020 would complete the picture for Holgate (above) who is also eligible to play for Jamaica through his grandparents.
Holgate, 23, said: “My grandma and grandad are Jamaican, so it would be nice for that side of the family.
“But I don’t think my mum and dad would speak to me again if I turned England down.
“I couldn’t turn England down. I’m from Yorkshire, I’m from Doncaster!
“At the moment, though, it’s not at the forefront of my mind.
“It’s something I can’t really affect, I can only do what I can for Everton and see if it leads to a call-up. If so, I’ll be the happiest man in the world.
“Ultimately it’s not my decision it’s Gareth Southgate’s.” days from West Ham supporters, is adamant Barkley can hack the inevitable flak coming his way. And he is urging the England international, 26, to silence the snipers with a match-winning display – similar to the one that helped knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup on Tuesday.
The Chelsea boss said: “Ross has been away from Everton for a couple of years but in the life that footballers live, you move, you’re going to get abuse.
“I’m not coming down on fans here. There’s abuse and there’s the typical behaviour of a fan who gives some light-hearted reaction to a player who played for them. That I get.
“To try and take as little of it as possible – and actually show what you can do on the pitch – is always the best answer. That’s what Ross needs to do.
“What I know with him is that he’s a really good-natured lad. He’s very close to his family, who obviously have roots back in Everton. “So I don’t think he’ll have a crazy reaction and revel in it. He’s not that type.
“But he’s the determined type. He’ll want to do well against his old team.”
That was something Lampard specialised in whenever he faced his first club, West Ham. The more the Hammers hate mob attempted to rattle him, the more pleasure he took in beating them.
And the ex-England star added: “In the early years playing them fired me up too much. But after I’d settled it fired me up in a good way. “I liked the challenge of going up against them. Your personality dictates that but I’m confident Ross will handle it in a good way.” With a lengthy Chelsea injury list, including midfielders Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, Barkley will start again today.
And if disappointed with his lack of first-team action this season, the midfielder’s reaction to the situation has definitely impressed. “Earlier in the season, Ross would probably say he could’ve done better. But he’s taken that in the most positive way, worked hard and got in the team,” said Lampard. “If he plays like he did against Liverpool and Spurs recently he’s a big player for this club. “His shooting, right and left foot, is as good, technically, as I’ve seen on the training pitch.”