A selection of Newcastle United supporters have been debating if Isaac Hayden has done enough to warrant a potential move into senior international football, having been overlooked by Gareth Southgate for his latest England squad.
Hayden has played the joint-most minutes of any Newcastle player in the Premier League so far this season, with the Chelmsford-born midfielder featuring in each of the Magpies’ opening four top-flight fixtures (WhoScored).
Steve Bruce has tasked the 24-year-old with occupying a box-to-box role in each of the St. James’ Park natives’ league games thus far, too, as he persists with a flat midfield line, either alongside Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey or Ki Sung-yueng.
But Southgate preferred to name Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, James Maddison, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Declan Rice and Harry Winks as his central midfield options for the Three Lions’ upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s place in the 25-man squad is his first since suffering a cruciate ligament rupture that kept the Liverpool man out for the last 18-months (TransferMarkt). He returned to a prominent role in the first-team fold at Anfield in week two of the 2019/20 Premier League season, and has made three outings.
The 26-year-old has averaged far fewer successful (0.7) and attempted tackles (0.7) per ninety minutes than Hayden (2.5 from 5.0), according to data collected by WhoScored, though, but Henderson (2.9 from 4.3), Winks (3.0 from 4.2) and Rice (3.5 from 4.5) are proving to be more effective so far this league season.
Rice also betters Hayden for interceptions (2.3 to 1.5), although neither of the trio – Henderson, Winks, Rice – better the Newcastle man for clearances (1.8 to 1.4, 0.6 and 1.0 respectively).
If Hayden is to earn a first call-up to the senior England squad having represented the Three Lions three times at U21s level (TransferMarkt), he likely needs to improve his numbers to stand out from the crowd far more evidently.
That is a viewpoint shared by some Newcastle supporters, as well, when a selection of the St. James’ Park faithful discussed if Hayden is worthy of selection at present…
Not done enough this season to warrant a place imo
— Michael Cantwell (@mickycantwell) September 4, 2019
I saw Delph against wolves on Sunday and thought he was the best player on the pitch. Oxlade chamberlain is on another planet compared to Hayden
— Jordan Weatherhogg (@jordanw1988) September 4, 2019
Hayden for England? Not a chance. Miles off international football.
— Kev (@venison_barry) September 4, 2019
Been our best player so far this season!
— Studs Up (@NUFCStudsUp) September 4, 2019
Rafa to thank for turning his career around.
— Ian (@ian_riches) September 4, 2019
Hard to see a better English CDM in the premiership he breaks up play can pass the ball and keep the ball too many of our fans probably think different they probably expect goals and assists it’s not his job he’s a CDM who protects the defenders
— Gary Halman (@gary_halman) September 4, 2019
Sorry but he’s a mile off international football unless he has a Welsh, Irish or Scottish relation
— Kev (@venison_barry) September 4, 2019
I disagree with this like. I believe Southgate deserves praise for giving players a chance. If you’re good enough then you get in under this regime imo.
— Michael Graham (@Mickygraham87) September 4, 2019
