Leeds United duo Darko Gyabi and Mateo Joseph have been included in England’s Under-20 squad to compete in this summer’s World Cup in Argentina – but Sonny Perkins has missed out despite impressing for the Under-19’s.
This month, Ian Foster takes a 21-man squad to Argentina with England drawn in Group E. Their campaign begins on May 22, in just 11 days time, with a clash against Tunisia at the La Plata Stadium. We also face Uruguay and Iraq.
Spain-born Joseph was included in England U20’s last squad in March, winning three caps. He started one of three games during that international break, scoring two goals and laying on an assist in a 4-2 win over the United States.
Meanwhile, Gyabi captained the 19’s in the last international break in two of three games – and the £5m man has been promoted to the 20’s for this month’s tournament. Perkins, meanwhile, was also in that 19’s squad in March.
But the summer signing from West Ham has been overlooked, with Foster only naming a squad of 21 players which includes three goalkeepers. England announced the squad on Thursday morning, ahead of their opener on May 22.
Leeds duo Gyabi and Joseph included in England World Cup squad
It is an impressive squad of young talent. Chelsea’s big-money signing Carney Chukwuemeka, Tottenham gem Alfie Devine, in-demand Alex Scott and Manchester City’s Liam Delap have all been included by Foster in the list of stars.
Gyabi is likely to play as a back-up midfielder to the likes of Scott, Aaron Ramsey and Chukwuemeka, while Joseph has competition up top. Delap and Tottenham’s Dane Scarlett are options, as is Sheffield United’s Daniel Jebbison.
It is a shame for 19-year-old Perkins. Given the small nature of the squad, it was only going to be a couple of names that were promoted from the 19’s to the 20’s for the trip to Argentina. Gyabi is one of those, yet to win a 20’s cap.
