Fulham midfielder Reed backed for England call-up

Fulham boss Marco Silva says Harrison Reed is playing well enough to be in contention for an England call-up next month.

Reed has been an almost ever-present since Silva took over at Craven Cottage in 2021, and has formed an outstanding partnership with Joao Palhinha in the heart of the Whites midfield.

Silva believes his form warrants consideration for Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine – and that the 28-year-old is as important to his side as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Palhinha and Andreas Pereira.

“In some moments, I have to say he is the heart of our team, because of the way he pushes the others,” Silva said.

“With his energy he can push our team. In other moments he has to be more relaxed but he has the right balance for us.

“Of course I want him to push more and more and to keep pushing to keep his position in our team. That is the main thing I want from him.

“About the national team? Of course I think he can have this ambition. It is a fair ambition. I push players to reach that level. His influence in our team has been really important for us.”

Reed arrived at Craven Cottage as a defensive midfielder but Silva has been pleased with the progress he has made in becoming a more of an all-round performer.

“We demand different things from him than in other seasons in this football club,” Silva said.

“But he has adapted really well in certain areas that are not normal for him in the past. He can score goals and create chances for us.

“I knew him before I came here, just playing as a holding midfielder.

“My idea when I came here my idea was to play only with one holding midfielder and him playing a little bit higher and he did it really well.”