If Michael Keane can play for England, so can Brighton’s Lewis Dunk

To suggest that a 24-year-old defender who has never played in the top-flight will represent his nation is absurd, but if Michael Keane is, why can’t Lewis Dunk? 

Glen Johnson’s surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s first England squad as caretaker manager following the sacking of Sam Allardyce in relation to the ‘Football4sale’ Daily Telegraph investigation, was lambasted by many as he hadn’t represented his country since the 2014 World Cup.

However the 54 capped Stoke City full-back was forced to withdraw due to injury and the Burnley defensive lynchpin, Keane, was called up for the first time after been judged to have been unlucky to miss out on the original squad.

The Clarets have built up a reputation under boss Sean Dyche as the plucky underdog, having spent very little money despite winning last year’s Championship, with their tight defence being integral to their success.

Clarets centre-half, Keane – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

However, last season, how much of a difference between Keane and Dunk was there?

Born in Brighton, the one-club defender handed in a transfer request before the beginning of the 2015/16 season amid interest from Fulham in the form of a £5m bid.

Dunk stayed, and all was forgotten as he became integral part of Chris Hughton’s side which lost out on automatic promotion to Middlesbrough on goal difference.

The 6ft 4in centre-back is prone to the occasional lapse in concentration, but has developed admirably as a player under the stewardship of former captain Gordon Greer and Matthew Upson in particular, as he has now made sure he is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ever since Gus Poyet took charge back in November 2009, Brighton have established an identity of playing attractive passing football, with ‘complete’ defenders who are comfortable on the ball and create attacks.

Dunk is the greatest advocate of these qualities, as he possesses the ability to switch the ball on a six pence and also hold off the opposition in tight areas.

This was exemplified during the weekend’s 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday, where he played a superb pass to set up Sam Baldock for the opening goal at Hillsborough.

Receiving the ball from his central defensive partner Shane Duffy, Dunk strode forward unopposed towards the halfway line where he unleashed a beautiful curving pass with the outside of his right foot which pitched on the edge of the area perfectly for Baldock to lift the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

It is this type of play which once again saw him heavily linked with a move away during the summer, with Premier League champions Leicester City, Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion and arch rivals Crystal Palace all linked.

The believed only formal offer that was received came from Alan Pardew’s side up the A23, which was thought to be around the £7m mark.

That, in comparison to Keane, is miles off, as Burnley are on record demanding no less than £25m for the one-time Manchester United defender, amid reported interest from Chelsea.

Dunk celebrates scoring last season with Steve Sidwell – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

A year younger than Dunk, the Stockport-born defender also boasts representing both the Republic of Ireland and England at youth level, where he racked up an impressive tally of 16 games for England Under-21s from 2013 to 2015.

There is no doubt that Keane is currently a more complete defender, who has deservedly made the England squad based on merit, while he should also be aiming to stay there ahead of the likes of Phil Jagielka – the ageing Everton defender.

Dunk is however not too far away, and is lucky to have a manager in Chris Hughton, who understands the Championship, having changed the way that his side play since the beginning of the season to be more defensive having shipped two goals in games against Reading, Newcastle United and Brentford respectively.

They have since conceded just once in five games, with that goal coming on Saturday when Gary Hooper fired home from close range in the 95th minute.

There is no doubt that Dunk will be given the opportunity that Keane has had this season, to portray his talent on the biggest stage of them all, but whether he will be playing in English football’s top division next season with Brighton or another club remains to be seen.