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Football

01st Sep 2019

Should Ashley Barnes be picked for England?

Ashley Barnes has hit the ground running this season, with his uncompromising style of play. We asked Burnley fans if he should represent England

Reuben Pinder

The Premier League’s biggest shithouse has hit the ground running this season

Gareth Southgate announced his most recent England squad for the upcoming fixtures against Bulgaria and Kosovo on Thursday, which of course caused come controversy.

Tyrone Mings and Aaron Wan-Bissaka received their first senior call-ups after continuing their form from last season over the first few Premier League fixtures this season, but no such luxury was handed to Burnley forward Ashley Barnes.

Southgate instead opted to select Callum Wilson as Harry Kane’s back-up, with Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard and Jadon Sancho as wide attacking options.

It came as no surprise, but a growing number of people feel that Barnes is being unfairly overlooked by Southgate, nobody more so than the Burnley fans who watch him week in, week out.

Barnes is an uncompromisingly physical forward and clinical in front of goal. The 29-year-old has four goals in four games this season, averaging one every 81 minutes, but that doesn’t reflect everything he brings to the field.

“He’s a shithouse. He’s an antagoniser. He’ll be at you, chewing in your ear all the game,” a Burnley fan tells JOE, explaining why he merits a senior international call-up.