, Championship goalkeeper backed for England call-up

Championship goalkeeper backed for England call-up

Brentford head coach Dean Smith has told Get West London that goalkeeper Daniel Bentley has all the qualities needed to become a regular member of the England national team. He also said that he’d be surprised if nobody in the England setup isn’t already monitoring the 23-year-olds progress at Griffin Park.

Over the summer, Bentley moved from Southend United to link up with the Bees, making the step up into the Championship for the first time in his career. He has settled in extremely well into his new surroundings at his club and in a higher division in general.

Considering the lack of English goalkeepers in the top two divisions, Smith insists that current England number one Joe Hart, on loan at Torino from Manchester City, could soon have some additional competition in the form of Bentley,

“I’m sure they’ll keep tabs on him. I’m not sure how their selection system works but they’ll be aware of him. He just has to focus on playing at Championship level.

“With what I see every day in training and with his work ethic, he can go all the way.

“There aren’t many English goalkeepers around and I believe he’s that good. We need to be patient and not rush it.

“He’s been in League Two, League One and now the Championship. He’s had a good time – there’ll be times when he’ll need support but he’s learning at a better level now and, with that, I believe he’ll get better.”

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton was a regular member of the England squad last season, when the Clarets were in the Championship. That not only suggests the lack of Englishmen keeping goal in the top flight, but gives encouragement that Gareth Southgate could call upon him in the future.

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