When Max Kilman was at Wolves, he came close a couple of times to making the England squad.
The defender had impressed for Wolves during the 2021/22 season under Bruno Lage, when he played on the right of a back three.
Unfortunately for Kilman, he had a really bad game against Crystal Palace in front of Gareth Southgate in March 2022, and he seemed to remember that when it came to picking his next Three Lions squad.
He said of the player at the time (via Birmingham Mail). “There are a lot of good defenders around – Fikayo (Tomori) would be another one we’ve been tracking closely. We do our due diligence and know the attributes that are needed for the balance of the team. But he’s very much on our radar. He’s one of a number that we tracked closely.”
Kilman also had a string of impressive outings for Wolves across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. But he never received a call-up to the national team squad from Southgate.
Kilman was obviously sold by Wolves this summer, with West Ham United signing him for £40 million. It is possible Kilman decided to push for a new challenge to better his chances of an England call-up.
On Saturday Night Football last night, Jamie Redknapp made an interesting claim about Kilman.
Jamie Redknapp admits surprise Max Kilman didn’t make latest England squad
Earlier this week, new interim manager Lee Carlsey named his first England squad for the upcoming international break.
He has put his own stamp on it after Southgate’s exit, calling up the likes of former Wolves man Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes.
There was again no place for Kilman. But Redknapp believes he should have got in, talking up the former Wolves captain and how he has started at his new club West Ham.
He said (via Sky Sports): “I think he’s been a really good signing for the club. The manager obviously knew him from when he was at Wolves.
“I was surprised when I looked at that England squad this week, I thought he might have just got in there.
“Because he’s a ball-playing centre-back. He can come out with the ball, we saw the assist at Crystal Palace. Very comfortable on the ball. (He’s) what you would call a modern-day centre-back, also good defensively.
“I’ve been very impressed with him, he’s leader. Good signing.”
Kilman could soon become an England international
Kilman has been on the fringes for a while now regarding the England squad and just hasn’t quite been able to make that breakthrough.
He could not quite convince Southgate. But there is now a fresh pair of eyes in Carsley who might be more receptive to the idea of calling him up.
Some feel Kilman should have been called up to the squad while he was still a Wolves player. Former Wolves midfielder Simon Osborn was one of those people, suggesting Kilman was a better player than Harry Maguire.
It is likely Kilman will soon get his chance. He has started fairly well at West Ham, who are perhaps more under the microscope than Wolves when it comes to players potentially getting called up by England.