Everton were delighted when Jarrad Branthwaite got his England call-up, as it was nothing less than his magical form had deserved.
He was set to join up with England’s number one, Jordan Pickford, who has grown into the undisputed starting goalkeeper for Gareth Southgate.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another who was once on the fringes of the first-team squad, but was hampered by Harry Kane’s presence, whilst James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey have both enjoyed brief cameos for the national side too.
However, one man who hasn’t is Dwight McNeil, and understandably so given he is yet to reach the lofty heights of some of his compatriots.
But, Sean Dyche has suggested that could well change in the near future.
Sean Dyche backs his Everton star for England call-up
Talking live on talkSPORT (25/04, 9:11 am) earlier this morning, the Everton boss was unsurprisingly gushing with praise for his players.
Seeking to laud the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jordan Pickford and Branthwaite, Gabby Agbonlahor actually wanted to grab his thoughts on another player who he feels goes under the radar.
Outlining McNeil’s relentless performance as the Toffees defeated Liverpool, Dyche responded by noting: ‘Obviously I had him as a young kid at Burnley, gave him his debut there and he’s never looked back.
‘I think he can still go further, I keep talking to him about it. I’d like to think at some point, as long as he keeps his form, he can just at least get around the England thinking. I’m not suggesting he should be in the team or anything like that, but you like to think certainly in the periphery or on the radar of the England side.
‘But he’s got to keep up with the detailing in his work, because he’s got a lot to offer. He’s got a great left foot but he defends hard, he runs hard, and he’s a very talented player.
‘When I got here he was a bit down on his luck, he had a terrific second half of last season. Started a bit slower this season in patches but generally has done great, and the last couple of games I think he’s been excellent.’
Dwight McNeil would be an unlikely England international
As much as I love McNeil, and think he is absolutely perfect for Everton under Dyche’s leadership, it would be a really strange decision to see him called up in the coming years.
That is, unless something miraculous occurs with the former Burnley man.
After all, whilst he remains workmanlike and boasts an absolute wand of a left foot, he simply does not post the necessary numbers to compete with the slew of star wide men Southgate has at his disposal.
Not only are the likes of Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford seemingly always guaranteed spots in the squad regardless of club form, but players like Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all boast the ability to play out wide and have shone for their respective teams.
Meanwhile, McNeil has just three goals and six assists in the Premier League this season, the bulk of which have come from set pieces.
For comparison, Bowen has 20 goal contributions, Saka has 23, Foden has 21 and Palmer has 29.
He will likely just remain a very solid player for the Toffees, and I have every faith that he could one day hold his own on the international stage.
It is just unfortunate that England are blessed with such a wealth of talent in that role, leading to Dyche’s suggesting that he may remain around the periphery.