England manager Gareth Southgate has sent a warning to youngster Reiss Nelson, who has impressed on loan at Hoffenheim from Premier League club Arsenal. The 18-year-old has been in fine form for the Bundesliga club this term with six goals from just eight league appearances but Southgate has indicated that he cannot just ‘roll up’ to earn his maiden Three Lions cap.
Speaking to Standard Sport, Southgate said: “We really like Reiss. He came and trained with us in September. He is doing okay with Hoffenheim and we think that he and some other players in the Under-21s have got big futures. I always liked his personality on the field and he is one of a number of attacking players who will push for places in the coming years, but he is not the only one and it is important we keep pushing him. I don’t want him to be thinking that he has just got to roll up and he’s the next one, because there is really good competition for places.”
(more…)