Neither of England’s World Cup warm-up friendly opponents Italy and the Netherlands are joining them at the tournament finals in Russia this summer, but it’s prompted changes of coach and personnel.
While the Dutch have already appointed ex-Everton manager Ronald Koeman as their new national boss, the Azzurri rely on Under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio keeping the senior seat warm. New faces in the dugout also mean uncapped players aplenty both for and against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
Who are the names to watch in these friendlies, with England first travelling to Amsterdam on Friday, 23 March before a Wembley encounter with Italy four nights later? We’ve picked out four international newcomers to keep an eye on.
Patrick Cutrone (Italy)
AC Milan may have spent around a reported £200 million in player recruitment this past summer, but their find of the season has been San Siro academy graduate striker Patrick Cutrone. Di Biagio has taken notice of 14 goals across all competitions, plus four in five for the Italy under-21 side he manages, with a maiden senior call-up.
Leading the Azzurri line is certainly a future ambition and the call for Cutrone came amid rumours of a return to the international fold for Nice’s maverick frontman Mario Balotelli. Cutrone instead competes with Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile of Lazio and Andrea Belotti – less prolific for Torino this term than last – for a spot up front.
Hans Hateboer (Netherlands)
Sticking in Italy, but with a Dutch export, Atalanta right back Hans Hateboer is one of many fresh faces Koeman is running the rule over as he looks to the future. Milan bought Andrea Conti during their summer spending spree, and Atalanta smartly recruited this new Netherlands call-up from Groningen as a replacement.
Koeman’s defence looks to be built around former Southampton charge Virgil van Dijk, but the Dutch also need legs down the sides to support their plethora of forwards. Hateboer can certainly stake a claim with the Netherlands, who according to this URL are 13/8 to beat England with William Hill.
Justin Kluivert (Netherlands)
Father Patrick was prolific for Barcelona, so how Justin Kluivert does on a potential senior international debut against Southgate’s side will garner plenty of interest. Unlike the old man, his son plays down the left wing for Ajax.
With pace to burn, Kluivert junior could easily light up the Amsterdam Arena — his home ground — against England and is 11/2 to be the Netherlands’ first goalscorer after netting six in the Eredivisie this season so far. If he continues to develop into a real chip off the old block, then the Dutch will have a real talent.
James Tarkowski (England)
Southgate has dropped Chelsea captain Gary Cahill and not selected Manchester United pair Phil Jones or Chris Smalling either, giving chances for other to impress. Since leaving Burnley last summer, Michael Keane has struggled, but former Turf Moor teammate James Tarkowski simply stepped into the breach.
He is a first-time senior England call-up alongside Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson – another to have benefited from Everton splashing out on a centre back, when Ashley Williams left South Wales. Tarkowski has made 170 clearances in the Premier League already this season and helped the Clarets towards 10 of their clean sheets.
