Rob Dorsett has confirmed that England players have asked for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez to start against Kosovo on Sunday.
The Sky Sports journalist shared that the squad have made the call in an attempt to emphasise the unity within the team and how well-liked Gomez is within the Three Lions’ camp.
Dorsett shared the news on his personal Twitter account on Friday, claiming that the 22-year-old was left devastated after he was jeered coming on to the pitch in Thursday’s 7-0 win over Montenegro.
Southgate went to see #lfc Joe Gomez and family at Wembley to offer extra support. He was left devastated by booing. I’m told a number of #england teammates now want Gomez to start the game v Kosovo on Sunday, to emphasise squad unity and how well-liked he is in dressing room.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) November 15, 2019
Gomez was involved in an altercation with Raheem Sterling in the build-up to that game, with the Manchester City man available for selection on Sunday after missing Thursday’s win.
OPINION
The scenes after Gomez coming on were unsavoury, to say the least, and no player would wish that on another professional. Especially after the 22-year-old did nothing wrong in the build-up to the game, it seems strange that it was him who took a big portion of the blame when stepping onto the pitch. Many different members of the England set-up from players to management have said that this matter is already in the past, and starting both Gomez and Sterling against Kosovo would more than highlight that it is, and that is something that Gareth Southgate must consider doing. Being given the nod to start in the final international fixture of the year would give Gomez a big boost to return to Liverpool and attempt to earn his spot back after falling down the pecking order slightly at Anfield. The England camp will want to put this behind them just as Gomez wants too, and the perfect way to do that is to hand him a start against Kosovo.
