Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster can look forward to an England call up next week with the praise of club coach Ronald Koeman ringing in his ears after an outstanding performance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
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But Forster, who saved attempts by Oscar, Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta and Loic Remy as Chelsea peppered his goal in the second half, was not the only Saints player whose showing gives them hope of a run-out against Lithuania and Italy this month.
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London-born full backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand returned to the capital with outstanding performances against the Premier League leaders at Stamford Bridge.
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“It’s always difficult to get a good result against a team like Chelsea,” Koeman said after Dusan Tadic’s 19th minute penalty levelled the scores following Diego Costa’s headed opener eight minutes earlier.
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“You need luck, you need a great goalkeeper, you need a great organisation in the team… and we have a great defence.”
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Koeman would not be drawn on whether Forster, 26, should replace Joe Hart for England’s Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Lithuania and friendly in Italy but praised his stopper.
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“I’m very pleased that we have Fraser in our team. It has not been just today, though today the expectation was bigger, he made great saves in the second half,” Koeman said.
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“It’s not my job to say who is the best. Hart is a good goalkeeper, Fraser is a good goalkeeper – it’s not my decision.”
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