It is fair to say that Alex McCarthy has been nothing short of exceptional, since being drafted into the first team to replace Fraser Forster.
The 28-year-old has been a consistent performer in the side this season and has played a huge role in boosting Southampton’s Premier League survival hopes.
Some world class saves against the likes of Bournemouth, Everton and Swansea have earned Saints some crucial points, which has helped Mark Hughes’ side climb out of the relegation zone.
With Saints all but safe, and McCarthy in fine form, could the former Crystal Palace shot-stopper be a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad?
I very much think so.
As of late, I strongly feel like McCarthy has been one of the most consistent English goalkeepers in the Premier League, and surely he is proving a difficult one for Southgate to ignore.
The other goalkeeper’s in contention for a spot on the plane to Russia include Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Burnley’s Nick Pope and Stoke’s Jack Butland, all of whom have represented the Three Lions previously.
This could potentially hold McCarthy back, but with Stoke having been relegated from the Premier League, and Pickford appearing slightly inconsistent, this could force the England management staff to seriously consider someone like McCarthy, who has only ever been called up to the senior team twice but failing to make an appearance.
But for me, the former Reading graduate should be given a chance to prove himself on the international stage, because after all, he has been performing incredibly well in the toughest league in the world, and, if selected, could potentially be a big part of England’s plans this summer.
It has to be argued that if he is not selected for whatever reason, he deserves to be a big part of the National team set up in the future.
