Will Bowen & Rice EVER Start Together For England?

When players are away on International duty they tend to gravitate towards familiar faces to 'pal up' during their time, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen have plenty in common and have spent many hours together at 'work, rest and play' as the old Mars bar ads used to punt.

It appears that England manager Gareth Southgate most definitely has his 'favourites' and then a list of players he feels almost obligated to call up in order to keep people off his back! Bowen's recent inclusion seems much more 'stat' driven than a genuine placement by the manager. In Bowen's last appearance he was almost totally ignored by players like Trent Alexander who looked to all intents and purposes to show case their own skills to the detriment of the actual team and it SHOWED!

Some observers were left thinking what might have been had Bowen featured alongside his ex-team mate and friend Declan Rice, one thing that is for sure is that Declan would have had eyes for the perfect crossfield ball for the left winger which would have enabled Bowen to shine.

Hopefully Bowen and Rice WILL have a chance to share the same stage and show what a good playing relationship and understanding they have. It should be remembered that when Rice first started playing for England he was largely ignored by the 'senior' players and spent much of his game time calling for the ball only to see passes that should have gone to him going elsewhere.

Perhaps Southgate might think about it when he is not too busy 'salvaging' Harry Maguire's career? - Ed