Jason Steele was given a surprise England call-up when Thomas Tuchel named his squad last week
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Jason Steele could be taken to the World Cup as a training goalkeeperopen image in gallery
Jason Steele could be taken to the World Cup as a training goalkeeper (Getty)
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Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood has enthusiastically endorsed the England call-up for his club teammate Jason Steele, suggesting the goalkeeper could be a “secret weapon” for the Three Lions.
The decision by Thomas Tuchel to include Steele in the squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with a view to him serving as a training goalkeeper at the World Cup, initially raised some eyebrows.
However, Hinshelwood, currently with the England Under-21s, believes the 35-year-old will seamlessly integrate into Tuchel’s setup and bring more than just shot-stopping ability.
"Firstly, his quality is unbelievable. I think people don’t know that," the 20-year-old stated. "His quality as a keeper, with his feet and his shot-stopping ability is also incredible. So he’s also an unbelievable player and he deserves it."
Beyond his goalkeeping prowess, Hinshelwood highlighted Steele’s significant presence in the dressing room.
Jack Hinshelwood feels calling up Steele is a smart move by Tuchelopen image in gallery
Jack Hinshelwood feels calling up Steele is a smart move by Tuchel (REUTERS)
"He’s a great guy and a big leader for us in the changing room," he explained. "He’s always quite vocal before a game, whether that’s giving advice or just trying to gee up the lads a bit."
Adding a unique dimension to his value, Steele is also renowned for his exceptional darts skills, a pastime that has become a fixture in England’s tournament camps.
"He’s such a well-respected figure as well, annoyingly good at darts," Hinshelwood revealed. "He’s frightening. He’s really good, 180s – they’re just casual for him."
Hinshelwood concluded that Steele’s influence extends to fostering a high-performance environment.
"He really pushes the standards at Brighton and he’s great for the young lads and he provides that experience in the changing room. I think that’s exactly what he’ll bring here. He’s a great guy to be around. He’ll push training. I think he can be a big asset."
Meanwhile, Hinshelwood himself is preparing for England Under-21s’ 2027 European Championship qualification matches against Andorra on Friday and Moldova next Tuesday.