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Southampton: Bertrand axed from England World Cup squad

By Marc Walker

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on April 19, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on April 19, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Southampton full-back Ryan Bertrand has missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad for Russia 2018.

The 28-year-old was overlooked for the tournament despite playing a fairly prominent role in England’s early qualifying games and featuring in 40 games for Southampton in all competitions this season.

He was also given the captains armband at St Mary’s for the last four months of the campaign and seemed to have grown into the role come the Saints’ last game against Manchester City.

If Bertrand had been given the call-up, he would have been one of the most experienced players in England’s squad after making his debut for the three lions in 2012. Players such as Nick Pope, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been included in a young selection.

Currently, he has 19 international caps to his name and will feel that he is unlucky to miss out. Left-backs in the squad to travel to Russia are Danny Rose and Ashley Young; Rose made just 10 Premier League appearances this season while Young is not an orthodox defender.

Next: Alfie Mawson linked with move to Saints

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City shoots but is blocked by Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City shoots but is blocked by Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

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Bertrand’s only international goal came during England’s World Cup qualifying campaign when the team triumphed 4-0 over Malta. His powerful strike from outside the area found the far corner and put the team three goals ahead at the time.

Despite being unfortunate to miss out here, 2017/18 was perhaps Bertrand’s most inconsistent season in a Saints shirt. Questions were asked about his commitment to the club following a summer of rumours linking him with a move away.

Overall, his time on the South-Coast has been a success however. To date, he has made 147 Southampton appearances and seamlessly helped fill the void left by Luke Shaw’s departure in 2014.

He was a key player in the progress the club made under Ronald Koeman with European qualification two years in a row, and has chipped in with six goals and 18 assists since his arrival.

So far, three Saints players have made preliminary squad for their respective nations. Jan Bednarek (Poland), Cedric (Portugal) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark) will be representing the Saints when the tournament kicks off in June.

Both Dusan Tadic is also likely to be called up by Serbia, whilst Maya Yoshida will be nervously awaiting the announcement of the Japanese team.

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