Jack Butland reckons time is running out on his England days — unless he gets a move back to the Premier League.
The 26-year-old keeper has held on to his place, despite spending last season in the Championship after Stoke City were relegated.
Butland got picked for the World Cup in Russia last summer and was a part of Gareth Southgate’s recent squad for the Nations League finals behind No.1 Jordan Pickford of Everton.
But Butland knows his days as a Three Lion could be numbered if he doesn’t make a move soon.
Bournemouth have already had a £12million bid turned down by Stoke, with the Potters slapping a £20m valuation on their keeper. And Butland accepts staying in the Championship for a second season will be damaging to his international dreams.
“Of course, it’s an issue,” he said. “All those things cross your mind. Staying put in the summer last year, I knew my performances were going to have to be even better again to make sure I was still in the squad. I think I’ve done that, which resulted in me staying in the frame with England.
“But I also know beyond this season it might be a tough ask, regardless of how well I am playing for Stoke. If I’m in the Championship again next season, I don’t think that will be enough to keep me in the England squad, so there’s a lot to think about.
“The only thing I can control is myself and, by playing well and helping the team, if that also brings about a move, then that’s something I’d have to consider at the time. The important thing is that it all stems from me playing as well as I can for the club.
“England is really important to me and the only way I can stay in there is by playing well. If I’m not playing well, especially being in the Championship, it’s difficult to get selected.”
The frenzied intensity and physicality of the Championship makes it tough – even for a goalkeeper.
“It sometimes doesn’t get the credit for being as difficult as it is,” said Butland. “You play more games and it’s a gruelling league. It’s a mental and physical demand. You come up against sides that test you physically and the football is difficult to play against.
“It’s aggressive and a leveller at times,” explained Butland, speaking to the PFA. And he admits relegation was a shock that hit him hard.
“It’s horrible,” he said. “From a career aspect, we all want to be playing Premier League, so that’s a hit.
“A 50 per cent wage drop, that’s a hit, and the mental effect of it, the disappointment of being relegated and the frustration. There are lots of challenges you have to tackle. Some people got moves in the summer and got back immediately and all those problems were solved.
“For others, we have ground through it and tried everything we can, but there’s certainly an emotional toll that it takes on you.”
Butland doesn’t want to force a move – but when he goes he can leave with a clear conscience, having given everything to Stoke since joining in a £4million move from Birmingham in 2013.
“I’d never actively look for a move,” he added. “It’s important to me that I am playing at the top level and it’s somewhere I think I should be, so I have to look ahead.
“I believe I’ve given everything I possibly can to the club, both on and off the field, and that’s something that, if I ever did leave, I’d walk away knowing I gave my all and I would take pride in that.
“If ever that day came about, it would be a sad one. I owe the club a great deal, and I’ll be forever grateful for the connection I have with the club and, hopefully, that will always stay.”
