Sunderland have a list of young players who will be expected to make it on the international stage in the future.
Sunderland already have a number of internationals among their ranks, with Chris Mepham, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Niall Huggins, Salis Abdul Samed, Alan Browne, Jewison Bennette and Ian Poveda all featuring for their country.
However, it is their younger cohort of players who have been tipped for massive futures and there are plenty who have already been predicted to make the England cut in years to come.
Jobe Bellingham is likely to follow in his brother’s footsteps, while Chris Rigg is already making his mark on youth football.
Anthony Patterson could well be the next Jordan Pickford too, while Dan Neil is another name expected to make it for England.
However, it is Dennis Cirkin who could well be the closest to earning his first cap.
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Dennis Cirkin could be on track for England call-up
The defender was born in Dublin, but rose up through the ranks for the Young Lions and most recently featured for England U20s in 2021.
After a ‘superb’ start to the season, journalist Michael Graham believes Cirkin could be close to being the ‘best available left back’ for England.
He wrote on X: “With a centre back who is playing left back for England here, you have to wonder how close Dennis Cirkin is to being England’s best available left back.”
Cirkin made his comeback from injury this season and has been one of Sunderland’s best players, picking up a goal and an assist.
Can the Sunderland defender earn a call-up in the Championship?
England opted to play Chelsea’s Levi Colwill on the left in their win over the Republic of Ireland, with Luke Shaw’s injury-ridden career affecting his international career.
Cirkin is likely to have the likes of Ben Chilwell, Tyrick Mitchell and James Justin ahead of him in the pecking order, while a fit Shaw and Rico Henry could pip him to the post too.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all better than him. If the 22-year-old was to play in the Premier League next season and continue his rapid development, then there would be no reason why he couldn’t make his mark.
It is very rare that Championship players are called up to the England squad and that is likely what will prevent it from happening, but there is no denying that he is one of their better options and would be deserving of a senior cap if it was gifted to him.
Cirkin’s chances will dramatically increase if the Black Cats are to get promoted, but it will be his injury problems that could affect him in the long run.