Three Sunderland players have been tipped to be included in England’s EURO 2028 squad.
Sky Sports’ EFL editor Simeon Gholam has named Anthony Patterson, Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke as three stars that could potentially be included in the Three Lions’ squad in five years time.
The UK and Northern Ireland have been confirmed to host the EURO 2028 tournament, with some matches set to played in the North-East at St. James’ Park.
With many now looking forward to who could be included in the England senior team, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have all been some of the first names mentioned.
However, there are also numerous players currently plying their trade in the EFL that could make the cut. There are so many players that were at last year’s World Cup – such as Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and James Maddison – that began their career in their lower leagues, and there is no reason why that can’t happen again.
Alongside players from the likes of Leeds United, Southampton and Middlesbrough, Gholam has included three key Sunderland stars.
On Anthony Patterson, he said: “He was virtually ever present in their run to the play-offs last season and has been excellent this season as well. Very good shot stopper, good all-round goalkeeper but needs to work on his distribution. But other than that, a very promising young talent.”
Unsurprisingly, Gholam included Jobe, who will be eager to follow in the footsteps of his older brother. Gholam said: “He’s part of a brilliant young side. He’s 18, so a couple of years older than Jude was when he broke through at Birmingham. But it’s hard to compare him to a player who is 20, plays for Real Madrid and is already being talked about as a Ballon d’Or winner. But he looks like a very good young prospect.”
Arguably Sunderland’s best player this season is Jack Clarke, who Gholam predicted to be in the England set-up ‘sooner rather than later’.
He said: “A name that a lot of people will be familiar with. Some bad moves hindered his progress a little bit and now he’s found a home at Sunderland, he’s excelling and he’s well on his way back to the Premier League. He looks well on his way to become their Player of the Season in the Championship. He’s being frankly superb and I can see him being in the England set-up sooner rather than later.”
From Sunderland 2023 to EURO 2028
Probably the most likely of the three to make the national team is Jobe. It is unlikely that he will quite reach the heights of his brother, but you can’t ignore the talent and potential he has.
The Three Lions’ lack of quality in central midfield recently may offer him a chance to make his mark, while Clarke is one player that will definitely have a lot of competition for a spot in England’s attack.
Meanwhile, Patterson will be hoping to replicate Jordan Pickford’s success. It is hard to predict whether he will become a regular with the Three Lions, with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale still having plenty of years ahead of him in the national team.