By Stephen Wright (@SundayLoveSongs)
After two impressive performances in international friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy, England manager Gareth Southgate has until June 4th to finalise the squad he will take to this year’s World Cup in Russia.
But who do the Bournemouth Rock’s sports team think should travel, and who should be left behind? Sports writer Stephen Wright details his picks.
***
Goalkeepers
- Jordan Pickford
- Joe Hart
I’ve sacrificed a third-choice goalkeeper to free-up a position elsewhere. Realistically, no nation is going to use three goalkeepers at the World Cup. Most will only use one. I’ve gone with a talented but relatively inexperienced Jordan Pickford, to learn from the once-unstoppable-but-now-past-his-prime Joe Hart. Butland has made too many mistakes at Stoke and Pope hasn’t played for England.
Defenders
- Kyle Walker
- Kieran Trippier
- John Stones
- James Tarkowksi
- Harry Maguire
- Gary Cahill
- Danny Rose
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Ryan Bertrand
Walker and Trippier will provide good, attacking options down the right-hand side, as will Rose and Bertrand on the left. To make up the 23-man squad I’ve also thrown in Trent Alexander-Arnold who has had a good season at Liverpool at the age of just 19. Given his inability to cope at Old Trafford, I wouldn’t throw him in at the deep end, but he deserves some game time if the Three Lions are cruising at any point (they won’t be).
In central defence, I’ve rooted for John Stones because, despite his naïve confidence in terrifying situations, his calmness to pass the ball out from the back is good to watch and can work well with Pickford. Tarkowksi should play alongside him as he’s been a rock for Burnley this season. Neither Cahill or Maguire will set the world alight with their defensive abilities, but frankly there was little else to choose from.
Midfielders
- Jesse Lingard
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
- Eric Dier
- Dele Alli
- Jordan Henderson
- Ashley Young
- Raheem Sterling
- James Milner
It looks like Adam Lallana’s injury will prevent him from travelling to Russia. A shame, given that he is one of the few flair players in England’s ranks. Nevertheless, Sterling and Lingard have been particularly exciting to watch in recent friendlies, while Dier and Alli are also capable of delivering on the big stage. Oxlade-Chamberlain will drastically misplace an outrageous 40-yard pass at least twice, but he still offers something going forward. Ashley Young is another decent option on the wing. I’m not a huge fan of Henderson, but he is dependable from a defensive point of view, as is my left-field suggestion of James Milner. Milner is versatile and can be relied on for a spot-kick which may come in handy if England find themselves in a penalty shootout.
Forwards
- Harry Kane
- Jamie Vardy
- Jermain Defoe
- Marcus Rashford
Kane, Vardy, and Rashford are pretty much no-brainers here. One player who critics and fans haven’t given much credence to is Jermain Defoe. He hasn’t featured in England’s recent friendlies, but I don’t see why he shouldn’t travel to Russia, given his experience in front of goal for club and country. I’m not suggesting that he should start, but he’s a much better option to have coming off the bench than Danny Welbeck if called upon. He’s a confident, natural finisher and could be the wildcard Southgate needs.