Verbruggen Hails Steele Following England Squad Selection
Bart Verbruggen says he was delighted but not surprised by the Jason Steele England call-up, after Brighton’s goalkeeper was named in the Three Lions squad for four Nations League fixtures. Steele’s inclusion follows an injury to Dean Henderson, who has been ruled out of the games.
Speaking to The Argus, Verbruggen described the mood inside Brighton’s camp once the news broke. Teammates were quick to congratulate Steele, he said, even though the call-up came as little shock to those who see his standard every day in training.
Brighton Keeper Approves National Team Recognition and World Cup Impact
Steele’s stock with England’s set-up has been building for some time. He worked as a training goalkeeper at the World Cup this summer, training alongside Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford, and that experience appears to have counted in his favour.
Everybody, of course, was congratulating him. But I also don’t want to take anything away from what he did, because it’s unbelievable, but it’s not a surprise to us, you know? We know how good he is. We know his ability. Obviously, all the stories we hear – he did amazing in the World Cup. It was amazing over there.
Verbruggen went further, pointing to Steele’s consistency as proof that recognition was only a matter of time.
So, to us, it’s not a surprise. If he gets a chance to show himself in the summer at the World Cup and gets called up again, he’ll just bring the level he brings every day in training and show everybody how good he is.
Goalkeeping Department Context and Recent Carabao Cup Heroics
The Jason Steele England call-up comes on the back of a standout display in the Carabao Cup, where Steele made two crucial second-half saves in Brighton’s 3-2 win over Manchester United. That performance has been cited as further evidence of the form behind his elevation to the England squad.
Verbruggen himself remains firmly established as Holland’s first-choice goalkeeper. He played in their recent 1-1 draw with Germany, a run of form that sits alongside his international ambitions following the World Cup. He has also spoken bluntly about concentration levels during matches, a theme covered in Verbruggen’s recent warning on match comebacks.
Brighton’s goalkeeping department has also shifted shape since the summer. Carl Rushworth left the club for Coventry City, leaving Steele as the established deputy behind Verbruggen and now, this week, an England international in waiting.
International Fixtures and Upcoming Amex Stadium Schedule
England host World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, the first of four fixtures during this Nations League window in which Steele has been included. No further detail on his involvement in the squad has been confirmed.
Steele is expected to return to Brighton once international duty concludes, rejoining a squad preparing for their next fixture at the Amex Stadium. Verbruggen, meanwhile, continues his own club and country commitments as Brighton’s first-choice goalkeeper.
