Dawson won’t get England call up says Upson

Former Hammer Matthew Upson says loanee Craig Dawson won’t get an England callup for Gareth Southgate anytime time despite his recent great form with West Ham this season. Upson told The Athletic, Dawson’s style of play is not what Southgate looks for in a centre-back.

Upson who himself made 21 appearances for the Three Lions in the middle of defence and scored in the 2010 World Cup against Germany, believes Dawson’s spotlight and praise is deserved, but that does not mean an England call is necessarily imminent.

Upson explained: “Dawson’s domestic form has been great, and you can put him up there with a list of players who are playing well in his position. But then you break down the criteria of how Gareth Southgate wants to play.

“There’s a huge amount of pressure when it comes to playing for England and right now, there’s a need to be really comfortable with the ball.”

Dawson joined West Ham on loan with an obligation to buy if he makes 14 appearances, which is likely to be reached tomorrow when Dawson starts at the London Stadium for West Ham against Arsenal. The Hammers are obliged to pay just £2.2m for his services permanently.

Let’s hope Dawson continues to proved Southgate wrong by continuing to be one of the best centre backs in the Premier League.