Thomas Tuchel has said Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was ‘very close’ to earning a maiden England call-up for this month’s international break.
Dewsbury-Hall had been in contention for a first-ever England selection this month after an impressive period of form at club level.
The 28-year-old has scored twice in the Premier League this season, and was named man of the match during Monday’s win at Newcastle United.
Following the win, he outlined his hope that he had done enough for England inclusion: “I’ll just keep on trying to put in good performances for Everton,” he said.
“If I’m performing at club level, then that will only give me a better chance to play for my country, and I’ll keep doing that until the day I hang up my boots.”
James Tarkowski and David Moyes both championed the midfielder for selection, but there was no place for Dewsbury-Hall in Friday’s squad announcement. Everton teammates Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner all earned selection.
Dewsbury-Hall Misses Out on England Selection Despite Tuchel Praise
Tuchel was asked about Dewsbury-Hall when he spoke to the media this morning. The German discussed his admiration for Dewsbury-Hall, and said he sees the midfielder as an attacking option in his system. However, he admitted that the Everton man faces fierce competition for a midfield role.
“He is close. A very good player, a very good season. I see him, in the way we play now, I don’t see him in central midfield – more as an eight or a 10, in the finishing part of the game.
“The competition is very, very high in our squad in this position.
“As you know he was in our squad of 55 [for the World Cup]. You can see his quality and he was very close.”
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