One of the most curious cases in the England football team at the moment is Stoke’s Jack Butland.
The goalkeeper is certainly not first choice under Gareth Southgate, but he remains in the squad. This is despite Stoke being in the Championship.
The 25-year-old joined The Potters in 2013 from Birmingham in the hope of cementing himself in the Premier League. The 6ft 5 keeper already had one cap for his country, and Stoke seemed to be the best place to increase his chances of becoming a regular for the Three Lions.
However, when Stoke got relegated from the top tier last season, it seemed inevitable that the ‘keeper would part ways with the club. After all, most England players that have ambition of still playing remain in the Premier League. He didn’t, but Southgate still selects him.
Some players stay at a club for a season with the expectation of them getting promoted straight back. But with Stoke currently languishing in 14th place in the Championship, it doesn’t look like they are mounting a promotion bid.
Therefore, Butland runs the risk of rotting away and fading into obscurity if he stays at the The bet365 Stadium. Surely Southgate would begin to look elsewhere in the very near future if Butland doesn’t make a move.
There is a huge pool of English ‘keepers in the Premier League at the moment. Incumbent shot-stopper Jordan Pickford looks to have a firm grasp on the number one shirt, but the likes of Alex McCarthy, Marcus Bettinelli, Joe Hart, Nick Pope and Tom Heaton are just some of the players nipping at his heels. They are all in the Premier League, and all have a much brighter future than Butland should they all stay where they are.
If it’s not January it has to be the summer when Butland resurfaces in England’s top tier; it is the only way he can legitimately make a bid for England’s number one shirt.
