Start now, England picks itself... but there’s wannabes
■IF the World Cup kicked-off next week, Gareth Southgate and his England squad would be heading to Qatar with the stars aligning beautifully. A world-class striker as captain, backed up by youthful, attacking players – industry, power and passing ability in midfield – and a solid back four, held together by a goalkeeper capable of producing gamechanging moments.
■But life isn’t like that. Football isn’t like that. The only constant we all face is change. At the moment, the Three Lions’ head coach would have a pretty good idea of his final 23 – and the chances are it would feature mostly those who served him so well five months ago.
■But injuries and form will play a part in his eventual selection. As will the emergence of several hopefuls during the course of the next 12 months. So, we’ve got out our crystal ball and NEIL MOXLEY has taken a look at five wannabes who could gatecrash the Three Lions’ party in the Middle East next year.
ENGLAND’S greatest strength and biggest Achilles’ heel is Harry Kane but an injury to the Spurs’ man would seriously hamper any chances the Three Lions have of picking up the trophy.
So far, no one has mounted a serious attempt to be anything other than an understudy. Claims could be
THE strength in England’s full-back positions counts against the Hammers youngster. But if he continues to play a leading role in the club’s push up the Premier League, he is one who can mount a claim for inclusion.
It weighed heavily in favour of Kieran Trippier
THE Eagles defender already has World Cup honours to his name as part of Steve Cooper’s Under-17s that lifted the trophy four years ago in India.
Guehi actually scored in the 5-2 victory over Spain in the final and has been a member at every junior level for the Three Lions, from the Under16s
THE 20-year-old may not come of age until January – but there’s an argument to suggest he’s reached that milestone as a player.
Under Jurgen Klopp the youngster’s gametime at Anfield has been increasing steadily, despite competition from some of
THE defender has been on loan extensively throughout his career with spells at Ipswich, Huddersfield and in France with Lorient.
He has just made the breakthrough into the firstteam at Stamford Bridge and is another with growing claims for inclusion.
He was part of the European Championshipwinning
made for Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Everton’s Dominic Calvertlewin and Roma’s
Tammy Abraham.
Could Toney enter the reckoning?
His early-season performances will have caught Southgate’s eye.
during Euro 2020 that the Atletico Madrid defender was able to play on either flank. Johnson, 21, is similar, and also had a spell at centre-half.
This is his first full campaign in the Premier League and if it finishes with a flourish, his chances of a late call-up cannot be discounted.
upwards. An £18million transfer to Palace last summer has seen the 21-year-old receive exposure at the highest level.
He was namechecked by
Southgate during last week’s press conferences and is one uppermost in the boss’s mind.
the continent’s best in his central midfield position.
Klopp has aided his development, gradually exposing him to the Champions League and now trusts him to play in the bigger domestic games in the Premier League. If Jones comes to the fore for the Reds in the next 12 months, he’ll be difficult to ignore.
Under-19s side four years ago and is wellknown to the Three Lions as he has progressed through the ranks.
Another whose chances will improve the more games he plays for
Blues’ boss Thomas Tuchel and is among those with an outside chance.