This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Ralph Hasenhuttl believes that Danny Ings could be a good alternative for England manager Gareth Southgate.
What did he say?
The former RB Leipzig manager was talking ahead of Southampton’s match against West Ham at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday evening.
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Talking about the 27-year-old, he said: “I don’t think I have to tell Gareth what to do.
“He has a very good view of all his players I think. Ingsy is a fantastic character and has a winning mentality.
“When he stays fit like this and scores like this it’s the best thing you can do as a striker, is to make it as difficult as possible for the manager.
“It’s good to maybe have him as an alternative.”
Needs to stay fit
During what has been a miserable season for the Saints – they are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League table, and have already suffered an embarrassing 9-0 loss at home against Leicester City – Ings has been one of the few bright sparks that Hasenhuttl can rely on.
In all competitions, he has bagged double figures for goals, and the nine he has plundered in the Premier League alone is half of all the strikes his team have managed in that competition, prior to their clash with West Ham.
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On form, he has certainly put himself in the conversation for a call-up, even if there are a number of English strikers who are performing well this term – Tammy Abraham, Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford have all scored at least as many as Ings, and Jamie Vardy, who has already retired from England duty, leads the top flight’s goalscoring charts. However, competition for places is not the only reason he may just eventually miss out.
It is his struggle to stay fit that should see him fail to add to his one cap. During his time at Liverpool, he made just 25 appearances in all competitions in three campaigns. That was due to him missing 85 matches due to injury – he ruptured his cruciate ligament and also had to have knee surgery.
Even in that quote about his Three Lions credentials, Hasenhuttl felt the need to add “if he stays fit”. That, in itself, says it all. If he wants to stay on the field for as long as possible, having two-week breaks at several points during the season could do him the world of good. International football, though, could come at a detriment to his club form. Whilst he has not lost his ability to score, it would be wise not to back him to receive another England call-up.
In other news, Southampton fans should not expect big business in January.