Does Gareth Southgate know his best 11

World Cup

The 2022 Qatar World Cup is starting on 21st November 2022. England are drawn in a group with Wales, USA and Iran. Wales have pace with Daniel James on the counter attack and the quality of ex-Premier League players Gareth Bale & Aaron Ramsey. USA will also test England with Leeds duo Brenden Aaronsen and Tyler Adams plus the creativity of Chelsea attacking forward Christian Pulisic. Iran will probably be the weakest team in this group but England will need to play well if they want to progress as group winners.

Goalkeepers

Nick Pope, Newcastle United number one goalkeeper played in goal for England’s latest UEFA Nations League game against Germany and made a blunder late on which will suffer his chances of going to the World Cup as number two. Surprisingly Aaron Ramsdale was on the bench for this game seeing as he has been outstanding for Arsenal in goal this season. Everton’s Jordan Pickford is still England’s number one goalkeeper in my opinion but Aaron Ramsdale has to be number two based on current form. England will bring three goalkeepers and third choice is between Nick Pope and Dean Henderson who is on loan with Nottingham Forest.

Centre-halves

Harry Maguire played in their UEFA Nations League game against Germany and yet again made defensive errors. Maguire limped off injured in this game and Southgate has a decision to make especially with the Manchester United captain not getting his game on a regular basis. Ben White has been remarkable as a make shift right-back for Arsenal this season but has to play as a centre-half for England. With Stones & Maguire doubts my opinion is that White and Dier will be first choice centre-halves for the World Cup. Conor Coady at Everton will be called upon if Maguire or Stones are ruled out.

Full-backs

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is currently injured and it will be tight if he returns to fitness before the World Cup. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the fold due to his unbelievable set-piece delivery for free-kicks and corners. Kieran Tripper played as a versatile defender at 2018 World Cup and the Newcastle man will be in squad especially if either Walker or James doesn’t make it. Left-back position depends on what shape that Southgate will play as Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is still their first choice. If they play wing-backs you might see Bakayo Saka play on the left side instead.

Midfield

Declan Rice will definitely go as he is still first choice. Borussia Dortmond’s Jude Bellingham is arguably one of the best young midfielders in Europe and has to be in the starting line-up. Chelsea boss Graham Potter has rejuvenated Mason Mount since he took over and this continued as Mount scored twice in The Blues two nil win against Aston Villa. England’s first choice midfield for the World Cup should be Rice, Bellingham and Mason Mount in my opinion. Leicester City’s James Maddison has to be in the squad for an impact role off the bench but not sure if England need to bring Jordan Henderson to Qatar.

Wingers

Raheem Sterling has dropped down the pecking order after moving from Manchester City to Chelsea. Phil Foden has to be first choice for left-wing as he is unbelievable. Marcus Rashford has returned to form since the arrival of Erik Ten Hag and could potentially play as a right-winger. After that the replacement wingers are between Jack Grealish, Bakayo Saka, Jadon Sancho ,Raheem Sterling and Jarrod Bowen. My opinion would be to go with Grealish and Saka as replacement wingers for Rashford & Foden.

Strikers

Harry Kane is still England’s number one striker and is currently on 192 Premier League goals with Spurs. Ivan Toney has to be England’s number two striker as he has scored eight goals for Brentford in 2022/2023 Premier League. Third choice striker is between Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings, Dominic Calwert-Lewin, Patrick Bamford, Callum Wilson or Adam Armstrong.

England have a big selection of players to choose from but the bench will not be as strong as their starting line-up. You need to have a strong core of 15 to 18 players when you go to a World Cup and not sure if England are strong enough to go far in the competition.