On the plane or sofa? How England’s World Cup squad is likely to look
On the plane or sofa? How England’s World Cup squad is likely to look. Gareth Southgate is sticking with his veterans, but he has some tough calls to make before Qatar.
On the plane
Despite missing the most recent camp with a thigh injury, Jordan Pickford is still expected to be England’s starting goalkeeper.
It’s no secret that Gareth Southgate likes to stick with what’s worked in the past. The manager has shown unwavering support for Harry Maguire, even after the central defender made a costly mistake in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Germany.
He looks up to veterans like Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier and wants to keep them on the team. Both are well-versed in Southgate’s back three, as is a revitalized Eric Dier, and despite Reece James’ defensive lapses, his right wing-back more than makes up for them.
On the other flank, Luke Shaw’s performance against Germany has solidified his inclusion. Shaw had been in doubt after losing his starting spot at Manchester United.
Declan Rice is a lock to start in the middle, and Jude Bellingham’s outstanding performance against Germany put any concerns about his lack of experience to rest.
If Jordan Henderson avoids injury, he will undoubtedly be included. Mason Mount will continue to find playing time thanks to the tireless effort he puts away from the ball. This is enough to convince coaches to keep the Chelsea midfielder in the lineup despite his poor play.
Mount scored in his brief appearance against Germany, and Southgate was quite pleased.
He finished superbly off the bench after linking up with Bukayo Saka, who also shone in a cameo role.
Phil Foden is too talented to be left out, even though he must work on being more decisive. Although Southgate prefers to use Jack Grealish more sporadically, the Manchester City winger is more than capable of creating scoring opportunities for the team’s two primary goal scorers, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.
In the departure lounge
Even though Nick Pope has conceded a soft goal against Germany and has poor kicking, the Newcastle goalkeeper has started the last two games and looks to have cemented his position as Pickford’s backup. Aaron Ramsdale, who plays for Arsenal and has better form and distribution than Pope, will likely settle for third choice.
Southgate does not appear to have many surprises in store at this time.
While Conor Coady may not be the most thrilling name, Everton manager Gareth Southgate like the defender for his positive attitude and ability to play in a back three.
If he is well, John Stones, who was doing well at right center back until getting injured against Germany, will play. The same goes with Kalvin Phillips. If Southgate loses the City midfielder due to shoulder surgery, it will be a major disappointment.
Hoping for a ticket
James Ward-Prowse is the most likely to win if Phillips doesn’t cut.
The Southampton midfielder has spent the entire season on the team’s periphery but has recently pushed Conor Gallagher, who had a rough start to the season with Chelsea, back into the Under-21 squad.
If Gallagher’s form improves after Graham Potter takes over as Chelsea manager, he might be able to make a late push. Ben Chilwell, who was left out of the most recent training camp, is also keeping his fingers crossed for better luck in Potter’s system.
A lot may happen in two months. Southgate is less impressed by the Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, despite popular demand that he replace Harry Maguire in the starting lineup.
Tomori fears that Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, on the bench against Germany, would start instead of him. Dean Henderson of Nottingham Forest will be hoping for an injury to Pope or a severe drop in performance from Ramsdale.
The biggest surprise would be if Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose club performance has been disappointing, was left out.
Should the Liverpool right-back have Southgate’s confidence?
The fact that he played zero minutes during the most recent camp says otherwise, and there is ultimately no purpose in choosing the 23-year-old if he is not going to be utilized, especially as Southgate would likely have to leave out a forward player to accommodate four right-backs.
Where are those assailants now? Although West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen was included in the past two squads, he did not play in either match against Italy or Germany due to illness.
Tammy Abraham has only scored twice for Roma this season, so far failing to prove that he can adequately replace Kane.
Ivan Toney’s first call-up hasn’t completely written off the Brentford striker, but he still doesn’t have a cap to his name and will be in danger if Marcus Rashford continues his resurgence at United after returning from injury.
If Rashford is healthy and ready to play, he must be included. He’s scored a few goals for England, has more experience than Toney, and is more nimble and agile than Abraham.
Watching from the sofa
Though Southgate has not ruled out recalling Jadon Sancho, who appears to be a better option on the wings than Bowen, the United winger’s chances of making it to Qatar are low if his excellent start to the season was not enough this time.
The chances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson, or Patrick Bamford becoming Kane’s deputy are low.
Mr. Emile Smith Rowe needs to work on being a regular starter for Arsenal. Southgate hasn’t been impressed by James Maddison despite his status as one of the Premier League’s most inventive midfielders.
It’s highly doubtful that either Sam Johnstone or Fraser Forster will be the third-string goalie. Several fullbacks, including Kyle Walker-Peters, James Justin, and Tyrick Mitchell, have left the team.
At Aston Villa, Tyrone Mings has been a rock in the middle of the defense, whereas Ben White has slipped to third place at Arsenal, behind Tomori and Guéhi.