Gareth Southgate explains Mason Greenwood & Callum Hudson-Odoi omissions

Gareth Southgate has revealed that Mason Greenwood has asked to 'park' his England career until 2022, but that he would like Callum Hudson-Odoi to play at Under-21 level for the time being.

Southgate's squad for England's final World Cup qualifiers this month was announced on Thursday, and eyebrows were raised when Greenwood and Hudson-Odoi were not called up.

The Three Lions boss has now revealed that Greenwood and his family requested that his international career be "parked" until next year. The 20-year-old was part of Southgate's 26-man squad for Euro 2020 before pulling out with injury, and declined to return to the setup in September in order to focus on his club form with Manchester United.

“We had a good chat with Mason and his family,” Southgate said (via the Telegraph). “We agreed we would park this until next year, basically. We would leave the autumn games.

“Of course, you always run the risk that other people are going to come through. But he’s young enough that there is time here. If he establishes himself in Manchester United’s team then he is going to be very close to an England squad or an England team. So that development piece he recognises, his family recognises. He wants to play for England. He is clear about that.

“It’s not that he doesn’t want to be with us. We totally understand the situation. Myself and [FA technical director] John McDermott, in particular, Steve Holland through his time coaching with lots of young players. We understand this journey they are going on.”

Hudson-Odoi, also 20, was set to receive a call up to the Under-21 squad, but had no interest in playing at youth level and believes his club form should help him secure a return to the senior team.

“We would like [Hudson-Odoi] to be with the Under-21s,” Southgate added. “He feels he would be best served staking a case for the team with Chelsea. I think he has a better chance of impressing us if he is with the Under-21s as well, frankly.”

Southgate ultimately defended the youngsters, noting: “If I did feel they were picking and choosing it would, in a few months to come, probably be reflected in our selection.

“But we are not going to not pick these boys because of these development challenges.

“They're still taking on board a lot in maturing in their own lives and particularly in the modern world you have got to listen to that, I think. As a coach, I've got to get that right. These are not boys that are going to tell me something that they don't feel from the heart and [who] don't have any interest in playing for England.”