Why Lloyd Kelly and Keinan Davis Could Be in Contention for England Debuts | OneFootball

Lloyd Kelly and Keinan Davis are in strong contention to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the first time.

The pair faced off at Bluenergy Stadium as Udinese hosted Juventus, a fixture the England manager would certainly have had his eyes on.

Kelly started on the left of a back three, while Davis was partnered with Nicolò Zaniolo upfront. As expected, Juventus controlled the possession and as a result Kelly was able to demonstrate his expertise on the ball.

Kelly the Overlapping Centre Back?

On several occasions, he carried the ball into space. When wingback Andrea Cambiaso was further up the pitch, Kelly would use his pace and composure to advance the ball down the wing.

In one instance, the 27 year-old glided past Zaniolo, which prompted the Italian to drag him to the floor and subsequently receive the match’s first yellow card.

Kelly would return the favour late on in the second-half, a tactical foul to deny Zaniolo’s search for an equaliser.

Even off the ball, the former Bournemouth and Newcastle man could be seen positioned on the wing or when Udinese had the ball, he would occasionally step into midfield.

However, the most impressive aspect of his game was his passing, in particular long balls. Udinese couldn’t handle the ball over the top, he was able to find someone in the final third three times, notably finding Kenan Yıldız down the left flank, who was able to put it on a plate for Jeremie Boga, who scored the game’s only goal.

Davis Looks Dangerous

Davis began to come alive in the second half. He was found in space and carried the ball into the Juventus box, where he selflessly played it across to Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, but the Dutchman was unable to convert.

He looked dangerous on the counter, sitting deep and waiting for the Old Lady to lose the ball, when they did he was the target every time. On the ball, he was both pacey and powerful.

While a goalscoring chance never fell his way, Davis showed qualities of a great striker. His nine goals in Serie A this season will be the evidence of his ability to find the back of the net.

A lot of his competition for the squad have endured tough seasons. Harry Kane is undoubtedly England’s number nine, but the part of his understudy is up for grabs, and Davis is putting up a fight.

Kelly’s performances throughout the season should be enough for Tuchel to make up his mind. His versatility could come in handy, having operated as both a centre-back and a left-back, and his overall ability is up there with any other player in contention. His performances could arguably warrant a starting spot over the declining John Stones.

England host Uruguay and Japan during the March international break, if Tuchel was to have a closer look at uncapped players before the World Cup, Davis and Kelly should be at the top of his list.