Archive
Southgate Wants Aarons To Shine
Written by Newcastle Utd
Gareth Southgate says Rolando Aarons' first England under-21 call-up is his chance to show what he can do
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Gareth Southgate says Rolando Aarons' maiden England under-21 call-up is a chance for the Newcastle United winger to show what he can do at international level.
The 20-year-old, who has previously represented the Three Lions at Under-20 level, will make the step up to Southgate's under-21 squad for their UEFA European Championship qualifier against Switzerland in Thun a week on Saturday.
And Southgate believes this is Aarons' opportunity to "impress", after an injury-ravaged season has limited him to just nine appearances in black and white this campaign.
"We see him as a wide player and we are in a situation where, unfortunately, Duncan Watmore has an injury, and Nathan Redmond has been a key player for us and he is out," under-21 boss Southgate told thefa.com.
"For Rolando it is an opportunity for him to come with the Under-21s for the first time and a chance to impress us and get an understanding of the way we work."
Aarons is one of three new faces in the squad, along with Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes and Hull City's Isaac Hayden, who is on loan from Arsenal.
Uncapped Leicester City full back Ben Chilwell has also been called up, having featured in a previous squad.
And Southgate says that those new additions to the side must step up to the mark in the absence of the injured Redmond, Watmore and Nathaniel Chalobah.
"This has been a different challenge. Over the last 18 months we have had a really settled squad," he said.
"The first four camps of this campaign we have had a lot of new players to integrate, quite a few players who have stepped up to the first team and unfortunately we have lost quite a few players to injury.
"It's an opportunity for new players but also quite a lot of work for us to do to get the harmony within the group."
On players, like Aarons, who have experience of wearing the Three Lions in lower age groups, 57-cap former England centre half Southgate believes making the step up is the natural progression for his charges, who he reckons will slot in to the squad seamlessly.
"It helps on that they know the way that we want to try and play. They know the players that are playing alongside them and it means that adapting to play at their best level can happen a bit more quickly," he said.
"So even if they have not worked with us as a group of coaching staff they are used to coming to St. George's Park and they are used to the other players."