With England’s 6-2 win over Iran now shortening their odds to win the tournament significantly, can football really come home again for the first time since 1966? Read on, as Charles Patterson reviews the 26 players that are in Qatar (and the team’s chances going forward).
Goalkeepers
For the first time in what feels like an age, England have genuine competition between the sticks. Jordan Pickford has long been the number one, and that is expected to continue this winter. But in Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale, we have two of the highest-flying keepers in the Premier League. Pickford’s 3 clean sheets in 14 games is hardly world-beating but two of those have come in his last three games. To compare, Ramsdale has 6 clean sheets in 13 (albeit behind a higher quality defence) and Pope 6 in 14. Could Southgate mix it up?
Defenders
A long-term talking point amongst England supporters has been the amount of depth we have at right back – Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben White are all included. The obvious choice would be the highly experienced Walker at right back (though he could easily fit more centrally in a back three) with Trippier as an option on the left-hand side to cover/rotate with Luke Shaw who is the only natural left back in the 26.
While Ben White has been a revelation in the right back slot for Arsenal this season, despite originally being signed as a centre half, it would be a surprise if he got much game time out in the Middle East and there were serious doubts over whether he would be in the squad at all.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly talented but there are some questions over his defensive ability. However, going forward he offers some of the best crossing in the world right now and often places towards the top of the assist charts.
Looking at the central defenders in the squad, it’s hard to look beyond Harry Maguire and John Stones for experience, though if Southgate eventually opts for a back three we could see Eric Dier or Conor Coady included (or Walker and White dropping inside from right back).
Plenty of options at the back for Southgate to choose from, and it could be a case of selecting the defence on a game-by-game basis rather than having preferred starters.
Midfield
Arguably where England look lightest is the middle of the park with just 6 bodies to fill (probably) 3 spaces. You’d think that West Ham’s Declan Rice will continue fit in – he’s already vastly experienced despite only being 23 and offers a bit more defensive stability than some of the other options.
It was great to see 19-year-old Jude Bellingham trusted alongside Mason Mount in England’s attacking victory against Iran in the opener, and now we’ve really seen what he can do in an England shirt, but at just 19, might vice-captain Jordan Henderson be the preferred choice later in the competition?
Conor Gallagher is likely to bring a bit of attacking spark from the bench, and though his minutes might be limited this time around, by Euro 2024 he’ll be up there in the discussion with the regular starters. Kalvin Phillips, too, offers some grit and steel in the centre but his injury record is concerning and a big money move to Manchester City seems to have taken him out of the Premier League spotlight somewhat.
Attackers
Another area where the options are plentiful, there is absolutely no doubt that captain Harry Kane will be the starting number 9 unless injured, and there can be no argument that his 51 goals in 75 England games ranks him amongst the best strikers ever to appear for the Three Lions. Backup through the middle comes in the form of Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, but it appears there will be very few chances for Wilson to make an impact.
Behind the main striker, we could see Phil Foden or James Maddison play centrally if Southgate ever opts for a 4-2-3-1. Both are wonderful players, though Foden is perhaps more favoured by England management and Maddison’s one England cap to date could limit his minutes in Qatar.
On the left wing, the options are Jack Grealish or Marcus Rashford – Grealish is fantastic at drawing fouls and although he has been in poor form this season, it was great to see him net against Iran. Rashford is a very different type of player, a more natural goalscorer, and his own goal probably means he is just edging this one at the moment.
Bukayo Saka – scorer of two goals in the Iran opener and a man who has bounced back superbly from his Euro 2020 penalty miss – torments defenders across the Premier League.
Southgate’s other option on this side is Raheem Sterling – who scored a fine goal in the opener but is another who has been out of form this season in a Chelsea side finding their feet under Graham Potter, but always turns it on for England. Like Rashford and Grealish, Sterling probably has more goals in him than Saka, but they can be swapped dependent on the scenario.
What are the chances?
England’s group is favourable, and although there are no easy ties in a World Cup, after an opening 6-2 win against Iran confirms the consensus that we’ll top the group. Assuming Netherlands top Group A, it’s likely to be Ecuador or Senegal in the first knockout round. It could well be a tricky quarter final against France if they win Group D. Belgium, Portugal or Uruguay could await us in the semi finals and if we were to make it all the way to the final, the form guide would give us Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil or Spain.
If we can do the basics right, the first real test for Southgate would be (possibly) France in game 5, and from there it must be treated as three mini cup finals. But there is absolutely no reason that football cannot come home again.
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