by Akshay Kulkarni (@ImpatientPedant)
Ahead of the official squad announcement by England manager Gareth Southgate tomorrow, the time has come for the final predictions. Who gets on the plane, and who misses the call?
Since England’s next match is against Nigeria on the 2nd of June, Southgate is making his decision before any friendlies to try out any late entries. However, it’s unlikely there will be many surprises. But here is an adventurous prediction nonetheless.
The 23 named below is based on the prediction that England play three at the back. The Three Lions performed well against the Netherlands and Italy with this formation, and it may finally have solved England’s midfield problem. Three goalkeepers are also mandated to be on the plane due to FIFA regulations.
Here are the predictions, starting with the goalkeepers:
1. Jordan Pickford
2. Jack Butland
3. Nick Pope
Though Ben Foster had more clean sheets than Butland, and Joe Hart might deserve a call based on past tournament experience, these 3 shot-stoppers deserve to be in the World Cup squad.
Butland made the most saves in the Premier League with 144 for struggling Stoke and will surely be picked up by a big team now the Potters have been relegated. Pickford is not too far back at 121, and his ball distribution will be key to England’s plans. And finally, uncapped Pope has the most clean sheets out of all English keepers.
Now for the centre-backs!
4. John Stones
5. Phil Jones
6. Kyle Walker
7. Harry Maguire
8. Chris Smalling
9. James Tarkowski
With England playing three at the back, ball distribution will be a key attribute for the centre-backs.
Which is why Stones and Jones, with pass completion rates of 95.8% and 91.2% respectively, must make the cut. Kyle Walker, nominally a right-back, also should get a mention here for performing admirably at centre-half against Netherlands and Italy. Maguire too has great distribution, and an ability to run at opposition defences. James Tarkowski is a key component of Burnley’s measly defence. He had a decent showing in the friendlies, and should be called up to gain vital tournament experience. On this note, experienced Chris Smalling makes the cut ahead of Gary Cahill, because Cahill has been suspect for a waning Chelsea side this season.
Onto the wing-backs.
10. Ryan Bertrand
11. Danny Rose
12. Trent Alexander-Arnold
13. Kieran Trippier
Trippier is an obvious pick, since he has replaced Walker admirably at Spurs. Alexander-Arnold deserves the big call since he has been a first team player for Champions League finalist Liverpool, and is also versatile. Bertrand has the most assists for strugglers Southampton with 4, and would be great on set-pieces too. Though Rose has lost his place in the Spurs lineup and may be off in the summer, he still is a consistent performer when called upon. Ashley Young and Fabian Delph miss out because of age and their injury-prone tendencies.
Now for perhaps the biggest problem area – the midfield.
14. Eric Dier
15. Jordan Henderson
16. Adam Lallana
17. Dele Alli
18. Ruben Loftus-Cheek
19. Jesse Lingard
Dier deserves to be on the plane for his versatility, since he can also slot in at centre-back. Henderson is a somewhat controversial pick, but he has the most passes for Liverpool, a Jurgen Klopp side. He also performed relatively well in the most recent friendlies. Henderson is probably a backup for the defensive midfield position, and brings valuable experience.
Alli and Lingard promise creativity and goals. Alli has 9 goals to Lingard’s 8. Alli has more assists too, with 10 to Lingard’s 5. Southgate has a big decision to make when he decides his starting XI with these youngsters in such form.
The two other midfielders are both utility players. Lallana is versatile and technical, and deserves to go despite his injury concerns this season. Loftus-Cheek has great stamina and was man of the match on his friendly debut against Germany. Both would be great substitutes, and would also cover multiple roles in a pinch.
Jonjo Shelvey might be a good shout, but it is doubtful Southgate would want such a temperament to manage during his first World Cup in charge. Jack Wilshere may provide decent creativity, but his contract situation at Arsenal is up in the air, which might mean a loss of focus. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a sure starter, but is injured. Bournemouth’s own Lewis Cook would be an outside chance, but he is unlikely to be risked.
And finally, the forwards.
20. Harry Kane
21. Raheem Sterling
22. Jamie Vardy
23. Marcus Rashford
The three top-scoring Englishmen select themselves.
Kane is England’s biggest hope this summer, and is likely to lead the Three Lions out in Russia. His 30-goal season means he is in great nick for the tournament. Sterling has been delightful at times this season, but a recent bad patch needs to be ironed out before the tournament. Jamie Vardy would be a great substitute with his searing acceleration, and his 20 goals this season shows he is no mere pace merchant either.
Rashford is also a big hope for the tournament, and led the line well in Kane’s absence against Netherlands and Italy. His decision-making, as with Sterling, is sometimes patchy though. Hopefully the tournament experience he gains will help him through that.
There are some other Englishmen who have been mentioned as hopefuls. Glenn Murray, Callum Wilson, and Charlie Austin, however, are too untested to be thrown in the deep end at Russia.
FINAL 23:
1. Jordan Pickford
2. Jack Butland
3. Nick Pope
4. John Stones
5. Phil Jones
6. Kyle Walker
7. Harry Maguire
8. Chris Smalling
9. James Tarkowski
10. Ryan Bertrand
11. Danny Rose
12. Trent Alexander-Arnold
13. Kieran Trippier
14. Eric Dier
15. Jordan Henderson
16. Adam Lallana
17. Dele Alli
18. Ruben Loftus-Cheek
19. Jesse Lingard
20. Harry Kane
21. Raheem Sterling
22. Jamie Vardy
23. Marcus Rashford
PREDICTED STARTING XI:
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Jones; Trippier, Dier, Alli, Lingard, Rose; Kane, Rashford