Today, Friday the 14th of March, saw both the England senior squad and England U21 squad picked ahead of the upcoming games in March. In the senior squad, we saw the inclusion of Dominic Solanke, but the omission of Djed Spence and James Maddison.
That squad was announced at 09:00 GMT this morning. The U21 squad was announced more recently, at noon - so just a matter of minutes ago. Just like in the senior squad - there is one Spurs representative in this squad. No prizes for guessing that that player is Archie Gray.
Archie Gray named in England U21 squad for their upcoming games
Also in the squad is former Spurs academy left-back Dennis Cirkin, as well as the Spurs linked Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap. Two other Spurs linked players in the squad are Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton - with many suggesting that both players should have been in the senior squad - and they would be absolutely spot on. Crazy.
Safe to say, it is one hell of a squad, though not necessarily for the right reasons, given that some should be in the senior squad. The squad will be overseen by Lee Carsley, whom is back in his post as U21 manager, having been interim manager of the senior squad over the autumn for the Nations League campaign, where he gave Solanke his first call up and caps in a good seven years.
That is not to say that Gray being in the U21 squad instead of the senior squad is a harsh omission like Branthwaite and Wharton, it feels like the right call. It is a shame for the teenager really. With the conditions he's been given this season, it was always going to be a long shot for the senior squad. Had he got a consistent run of games in midfield, then perhaps things will be different. Although even maybe then, he would have still been snubbed for Jordan Henderson in the lord's year of 2025.
Anyway, England U21s and Gray will be in action against Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, and France U21s over in Lorient on Friday, the 21st of March at 20:00 GMT, before playing Portugal at the Hawthorns - home of Will Lankshear's West Bromwich Albion, on Monday the 24th of March, at 19:45 GMT.
These games are friendlies, as preparation begins for the U21 Euros taking place this summer, where England will be looking to defend their crown.