Southampton manager Mark Hughes has heaped the praise on Alex McCarthy following his recent call-up to the England squad, as reported by BT Sport.
McCarthy was one of the more surprising inclusions in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Switzerland and Spain, as the Three Lions gear up for their first outings since the World Cup.
The experienced goalkeeper has been in exceptional form for Southampton this year and was named as the club’s Player of the Season following his exploits as Saints kept their heads above water in the Premier League.
McCarthy has been similarly solid in the opening stages of the new campaign and Hughes has been crediting him following the recent international recognition.
His fundamentals are very sound. He’s a big guy, but very mobile, very dynamic in his box as well. He’s a top-level keeper and he will push whoever is in possession of the shirt I’m sure.
Hughes was also quick to highlight just how influential McCarthy was at a crucial stage last season, with his displays going some way in saving Southampton’s Premier League status.
He wasn’t first choice, but worked his way in by virtue of his performances and was instrumental really at the back end of last season when I came in. Some of the saves he made were match-defining saves, the saves that enable you to protect results and gain points and he did that on any number of occasions.
That’s the sign of a top keeper when you need him to step up and protect the results for you and Alex did that on numerous occasions and started in the same vein this season.
Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland are the other goalkeepers in the England squad and McCarthy will be hoping that he is given a chance to shine.
