Gareth Southgate praises England midfield duo Harry Winks and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

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England manager Gareth Southgate singled out Harry Winks and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after an international break that yielded eleven goals and two wins to nil.

Speaking to ITV, Southgate praised the midfield duo, neither of whom went to the 2018 World Cup in Russia but started both matches of the final international break of 2019.

He said: “We needed a tighter game and a challenge. I’m happy we got that. We had to sustain spells of pressure and gave them chances – on another night that would be a problem. But attacking we were ruthless.

“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in his stage of returning, he’s been a real plus with the power of his running and attacking threat. I thought Harry Winks was excellent in both games and takes the ball well when we need calming.”

TBR’s View – Both men could play in England’s first-choice Euro 2020 midfield

Winks took strides ahead of Declan Rice this week in terms of being England’s Euro 2020 holding midfielder but also showcased his skills from a more advanced position yesterday.

Meanwhile, Chamberlain offers intense pressing and an eye for goal, which is a balance that may not be offered by too many of Southgate’s other midfield options, although Mason Mount and James Maddison should get chances to disprove that between now and the squad being named.

That means that the pair could line up alongside Jordan Henderson when England kick off their Euro 2020 campaign.

The challenge for both men, especially Chamberlain, is to stay fit and the former Arsenal man has had rotten luck with injuries around major tournaments in the past.