Darren Bent has praised Gareth Southgate for selecting Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his upcoming England squad.
The Sky Sports pundit drooled over the Reds’ ace, calling him “unbelievable” before he suffered his long-term injury which forced him to miss the World Cup.
The 26-year-old returned to full fitness to feature in pre-season and has gone on to feature in two of the first three Premier League games of the season, once from the starting line-up.
Bent was in awe of Oxlade-Chamberlain when speaking on the Debate (Thursday 29th August, 22:41 pm), backing Southgate for selecting the Reds’ midfielder.
“Before he got injured, Ox, he was unbelievable,” he said.
“That period he had for Liverpool where it was, I think he got injured in the Champions League semi-final or quarter-final, but, that period there, he was unbelievable.”
“So it is good for Gareth Southgate to say ‘listen, you are part of my plans, I haven’t forgot what you did’ and bring him back in, and I think Ox will grow from that.”
OPINION
Oxlade-Chamberlain will just be relieved to have returned to first-team action after his season of hell from his injury. The 26-year-old was rewarded for his determination, having signed a new deal with the club – a message from Jurgen Klopp that he is surely happy with his progress. Bent is right to point out the midfielder, who was a real standout in that season, even scoring against Manchester City in the game he was injured in. The midfielder will return to the England set-up in September, having excelled in attack so far this season, averaging a single shot on goal per game, as well as completing two dribbles in each outing, according to WhoScored. Defensively, Oxlade-Chamberlain has also averaged 1.5 clearances – helping out his defence when needed and has more than proved he is ready to integrate back into the international set-up. Whether he will start or not for his country is a different thought, but Southgate is right to welcome him back gradually over the next year.
