Brighton and Burnley stars ‘have to be considered’ for England’s World Cup squad, says Joey Barton on talkSPORT
Brighton striker Glenn Murray is among the in-form players who MUST be in contention for a place in England’s World Cup squad, according to Joey Barton.
Murray, who is 34, is the Premier League’s highest scoring Englishman in 2018.
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero have scored more than the Seagulls striker since the turn of the year. He has found the net eight times this year, while Tottenham star Harry Kane has scored six.
Brighton team-mate Lewis Dunk has also impressed at centre-back for Chris Hughton’s side, who currently sit tenth in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Nick Pope and defender James Tarkowski have both stood out in Burnley’s solid defence. Sean Dyche’s men have conceded just 26 goals this season, helping the Clarets up to seventh - above Arsenal - in the table.
And Barton believes those players deserve to be in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts as he considers his 23-man World Cup squad.
“We always say the England side should be picked on form,” he said on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“If that’s the case, then you should look at the form of Nick Pope and James Tarkowski at Burnley and you also look at the form Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray at Brighton.
None of those players have been capped by England before , but if we’re picking on form they have to be considered.”
READ MORE: Joey Barton picks his England starting XI for the 2018 World Cup - Who makes the cut?