Jacob Ramsey in line for senior England call-up after Aston Villa masterclass v Chelsea
Everyone’s talking about how Ollie Watkins should be in the England squad – but what about Aston Villa rising star Jacob Ramsey?
Watkins’ form has understandably led to fans, pundits and journalists calling on Gareth Southgate to call the 27-year-old up to his next England squad.
The Torquay-born striker netted his 11th goal of the season – his seventh in his last nine Premier League appearances -as Aston Villa won 2-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (1 April).
And while Ramsey, 21, wasn’t on the scoresheet, it’s surely time for the Birmingham-born midfielder to earn a senior cap for the Three Lions.
Ramsey has played nine times for England’s Under-21s, scoring his second goal for the Young Lions in last month’s international break in a 4-0 win over France.
For Villa this season, the former Doncaster loan star has scored three goals and notched his fourth assist of the season from 28 appearances across all competitions in the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
He absolutely ran the show against Graham Potter’s bottom-half side.
Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher couldn’t even earn a start for Chelsea but both have been in recent England sides while Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Argentina World Cup-winner Enzo Fernandez and Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic were also completely outclassed by Villa’s latest Brummie star.
According to stats by WhoScored, Ramsey completed 78 per cent of his passes, made one key pass, assisted John McGinn’s screamer, completed two dribbles and had 49 touches of the ball – the second-most of Villa’s outfield players.
But it was Ramsey’s defensive performance that really caught the eye.
Not only did he make a goal-line clearance but Ramsey also completed five tackles – more than any other player on the park at Stamford Bridge.
He attempted seven, but to complete five is incredible for a wide midfielder.
Ramsey also made two clearances and two interceptions to help keep Chelsea’s attackers at bay.
Ramsey’s performances this season have been exemplary.
He’s not only one of the best players at Villa Park but he’s surely one of the best midfielders Southgate has to choose from.
Jordan Henderson cannot have many years left in him at international level whole players like the aforementioned Gallagher and Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips were also in the most recent England squad.
There’s no way they should be getting call-ups over Ramsey, who’s proven he’s more than ready to make the step up.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa’s academy staff has been slammed for a Phil Foden nickname.