New manager, new ideas. It’s the way of the world.
Sam Allardyce put his own spin on the England team during his fleeting 67 days and one international game in charge.
But with Allardyce leaving his post in disgrace and U21 boss Gareth Southgate taking the reins for the next few games, it was inevitable he was going to put his own spin on things.
Just like the previous England incumbent, Southgate hasn’t rung the changes or majorly rocked the boat.
Jesse Lingard has been given a call up and West Ham’s Michail Antonio made the squad again after getting his first inclusion under Allardyce.
Marcus Rashford is back in after his hat-trick for England U21 and there’s the same old faces in Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney included for the two World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.
It all looked pretty routine as fans cast their eyes down the England squad list.
Interim manager @GarethSouthgate has named a 23-man squad for the #ThreeLions' upcoming @FIFAWorldCup qualifiers: pic.twitter.com/0Tmk87mLAA
— England (@England) October 2, 2016
But there was one name that stuck out like a sore thumb for Three Lions fans and that was Stoke’s Glen Johnson.
The 32-year-old former Liverpool defender, who has 54 caps, hasn’t played for England since the 2014 World Cup.
The right back has just returned from a seven-month lay-off with a knee injury, but Southgate has given him a call up to the squad for the qualifying fixtures this week.
Stoke City haven’t exactly been in flying form in the Premier League so far, so Johnson’s inclusion has come as a surprise to some.
Literally moments after the squad was officially announced, Twitter exploded…
https://twitter.com/KyleHAndrews/status/782663429379203072
Surely there's a better English right back around than Glen Johnson #ENG #Southgate
— Ross Bateman (@rossbateman1) October 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/ShaunYogi/status/782663413264683009
if Glen Johnson can get an England cap than so can I
— Armo☀️🌙 (@Jordan_Armo) October 2, 2016
Kyle Walker left out the England squad? GLEN JOHNSON IN?! 🤔
— Jake (@JakesThoughtsOn) October 2, 2016
Glen Johnson is in the England squad. In 2016. 2 thousand and 16. Two thousand and sixteen. T w o t h o u s a n d a n d s i x t e e n
— Ben (@CriminalCosta) October 2, 2016
Glen Johnson… yes, really. That's a good one Gareth. At least we've got a manager who knows how to have a laugh. #England
— Mark Winterbottom (@Oldham_Mark) October 2, 2016
How is Glen Johnson ahead of Nathaniel Clyne in the England pecking order? Embarrassing.
— Kevin Keen (@Kevin_Keen) October 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/whimsicalwenger/status/782663382042222592
Glen Johnson, bloody Glen Johnson. Thought he retired from football 😳
— Kevin Durkin (@durkster1986) October 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/Rishi_LFC/status/782663367634849792
Glen Johnson 😂😂😂😂. Playing in a struggling Stoke team. Game's gone mad 😡
— Sach Acharya (@LCFCSach) October 2, 2016
Gareth Southgate has said he didn't want the England job and he is proving it by picking Glen Johnson
— Megdi™ (@megdi_official) October 2, 2016
Glen Johnson in the England squad may seem a bad shout, but considering stokes impressive start to the season I guess it was inevitable
— Justin Rustell (@JustinRustell) October 2, 2016
The GAA Hour podcast is out every Monday and Thursday. Subscribe here on iTunes or listen on Soundcloud (if you want to).
