After Lee Carsley fielded three current Newcastle United stars in his England starting XI on Sunday in the 5-0 win over Ireland, the question for Toon fans is ... who's next?
For years Newcastle players were overlooked when it came to England call-ups. We had English talent, but no matter how good their form was, they never seemed to get a call-up, the best we could hope for was maybe a mention from Gareth Southgate that they'd been looked at.
Since the takeover, though, and the arrival of Kieran Trippier, Newcastle was put back on the England Football map with Southgate having to attend, and pay attention to Newcastle.
Anthony Gordon made it into Southgate's thoughts, but it was Lee Carsley who took things to the next level by bringing Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall into the fold.
Now that Newcastle have three players in the England squad, incoming boss Thomas Tuchel will also have to pay attention to the Magpies, and with that the inevitable question is, who will join the current trio next?
That was what was asked of The Athletic's Chris Waugh in his weekly Q&A and he gave the answer many of us were probably expecting.
"In terms of who is next, Joe Willock seems destined to play for England. He is 25 and, but for injury, I am sure he would have been called up by now. I know England have a fair few deep-lying midfielders and loads of No 10s and wide forwards, but just as with Newcastle, I am not sure they have anyone with the characteristics Willock possesses. His ability to carry possession and his dynamism would improve any side, or at least give them an alternative, and he must be close to getting in. He has been tracked by the national set-up."
Joe Willock seems like a no-brainer. As long as he can keep fit, he's got all the characteristics of a top-class midfielder.
Waugh also believes that Sean Longstaff has perhaps been unlucky to have been overlooked for so long and still holds out hope for the academy product.
Another one from Newcastle's academy is, of course, Lewis Miley, although Waugh rightly says that he's more of a long-term case.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
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1 |
Liverpool
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14 | 18 | 35 |
2 |
Chelsea
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15 | 17 | 31 |
3 |
Arsenal
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15 | 14 | 29 |
4 |
Manchester City
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15 | 6 | 27 |
5 |
Nottingham Forest
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15 | 1 | 25 |
6 |
Aston Villa
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15 | 0 | 25 |
7 |
Brighton
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15 | 3 | 24 |
8 |
Bournemouth
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15 | 3 | 24 |
9 |
Brentford
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15 | 3 | 23 |
10 |
Fulham
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15 | 2 | 23 |
11 |
Tottenham Hotspur
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15 | 12 | 20 |
12 |
Newcastle United
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15 | -2 | 20 |
13 |
Manchester United
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15 | 1 | 19 |
14 |
West Ham United
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15 | -8 | 18 |
15 |
Everton
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14 | -7 | 14 |
16 |
Leicester
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15 | -9 | 14 |
17 |
Crystal Palace
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15 | -6 | 13 |
18 |
Ipswich
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15 | -13 | 9 |
19 |
Wolves
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15 | -15 | 9 |
20 |
Southampton
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15 | -20 | 5 |