At last a bit of sense about Lewis Dunk. It came from a former Republic of Ireland international, albeit one born and raised in southern England. And it was a nice change from the criticism that seems to have followed news that the Albion skipper will go to Euro 2024 with the Three Lions.
Andy Townsend was the man responsible as he spoke on TalkSPORT yesterday morning. Marc Guehi is being quoted as 1/6 to start the first game against Serbia with Dunk an outsider at 6/1. Serbia’s attack is led by an old adversary of Dunk’s in Aleksandar Mitrovic and Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic.
Townsend, however, has Dunk in his preferred XI for the Gelsenkirchen clash on Sunday evening. The former Chelsea, Aston Villa, Southampton and Norwich midfielder said: “I think Lewis Dunk will do well. “I think England need really solid defenders.
“I know he made a mistake in that game (versus Belgium) when he got caught in that left gully a little bit with a bad first touch. “Someone went at him and punished him but that happens. “That’s international football for you but I like him.
“I think he’s a very solid dependable guy.” Albion fans know how good Dunk can be and the fact he is a modern, multi-faceted centre-back rather than an old-fashioned No.5.
There are some who would also suggest he was playing better when he was being left out of England squads. But he has still grown and learned a lot over the last season and added to his passing game. Dunk is an interesting optio.
