Mauricio Pochettino is adamant both Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez could get an England call-up together.
With Lambert having been consistently overlooked by Roy Hodgson despite being the top scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season, Saints fans have begun to pin their hopes on England recognition on Rodriguez in the wake of reports he is being watched.
Three goals in three successive Saints wins have rocketed him to national prominence, and he is in the kind of form that could bag a call-up for end of season friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
However, Saints boss Pochettino believes it is possible that both his goalscoring talents could get the nod.
“I don’t think it would be something far-fetched,” he said.
“If they both play as well as they have done lately I can see that happening. Both players are really comfortable playing here and are happy with us.
“Hopefully their performances can just keep on getting better in the next few years, that would be great for Southampton.”
Lambert has grabbed the majority of the headlines in Saints’ first season back in the Premier League with his 14 goals so far.
But the recent form of summer signing Rodriguez has seen his reputation soar and Pochettino, whose side host West Ham tomorrow, believes the former Burnley man has enough quality to earn a call-up to Roy Hodgson's squad.
“Jay Rodriguez, in the two months I have been here, has developed a lot,” he said of the man who is a doubt to face the Hammers with a virus.
“He has great potential and he has a lot more to go - his potential hasn't reached its peak yet and he has much more to give.
“It is clear to me that his football talent and football skills make him a Premier League player.
“To be able to play in a national team and do it well you need more than two months playing well - you need to develop your game over a long period of time.
“If he can do that I see a future for him [with England]. I have no doubts that if he keeps playing this well he will get his chance.
“From the tactical point of view, perhaps the way we are playing now is enabling him to develop his own brand of football and play even better.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel