The England manager has sent a warning to Marcus Rashford that his spot in the national team is not guaranteed ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship.
Check Out: Algeria Star Gives Big Praise, 'SA Play Beautiful Football'
In the 2022/23 campaign, the Manchester native enjoyed the best season of his career as he bagged 30 goals and provided 11 assists.
This latest term has, however, been the complete antithesis to that as he has only amassed eight goals and six assists so far.
His erratic form in 2023/24 has seemingly had an adverse impact on his England prospects, with manager Gareth Southgate having stated that there is plenty of competition in the wing positions ahead of the continental showpiece in Germany later this year.
The 53-year-old tactician admitted that Rashford and Manchester City's Jack Grealish are competing with Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon for the remaining wide positions.
"Jack's definitely not out of the picture. I spoke to him before I named the squad. But as I said when I named the squad, Gordon and Bowen are pushing those guys," Southgate said, as per Goal.
"I think Anthony Gordon has been excellent for his club. And obviously Marcus got on in the first game. But I wanted to see Gordon again. I thought James Maddison coming on would have an impact and Bowen has also had a really good camp. So there's competition for places.
"I said when I named the squad there is competition for places in those wide areas. A bit of a shame that Cole Palmer missed so much training that we weren't able to put him into the game [against Belgium] at the stage it was having missed most of the week.
Check Out: Spain vs Brazil Was Glimpse Into Future Clasicos With Yamal Endrick
"We weren't 100% certain what we would get, whereas with Gordon we knew and Maddison we knew. I wouldn't rule Cole out of that equation."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
