In the fifth instalment of Metro’s In The Mixer, we’re looking way ahead to next summer and predicting which players stand a chance of being selected to go to the World Cup. Sign up to receive this, plus exclusive analysis, insights and transfer talk straight to your inbox every week.
Barring a complete and utter disaster in the remaining qualifiers, Thomas Tuchel will lead England into next summer’s World Cup with the expectation of at the very least coming close to ending the long wait for a second title.
Poor performances in a win against Andorra and loss to Senegal in June mean the spotlight will be even more intense than usual this week.
After this week’s games against Serbia and Andorra, the manager will only get two or three more opportunities to test out different players ahead of naming his final squad for the big games.
With injuries to Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka ruling them out this time around, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form at Real Madrid looking shaky, there are some big questions still to be answered by Tuchel.
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Does Marcus Rashford have a long-term place in the squad? Can a resurgent Jack Grealish regain his position? What’s going to happen with Phil Foden, Harry Maguire and Conor Gallagher?
Some of his inclusions and exclusions have raised eyebrows in his short time in charge – sorry, Jordan Henderson – so with nine months to go until we all go mad with excitement for the opening game at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, we’re looking at who’s going to be on the plane.
Who will play in goal for England at the World Cup?
It’s hard to see much of a change in this department outside of any unfortunate injuries.
Jordan Pickford has been one of England’s best players in the last decade, and a crucial part of the team’s successes under Gareth Southgate. He does have a bit of a fight to hold onto his number one jersey however, as Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson has been the standout keeper over the past 12 months.
Manchester City’s James Trafford is a great third option and is likely to be the long-term option in goal.
Definite picks: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford.
Fighting for a spot: James Trafford, Nick Pope.
Who’s on standby? Aaron Ramsdale.
Any up and comers? James Beadle, on loan at Birmingham City from Brighton. He’s yet to start a league game this season but if he becomes City’s number one while they make a promotion push then you never know…
Who will play in defence for England at the World Cup?
Aside from a few names, it’s hard to predict who Tuchel will go for here.
It would not be especially surprising to see the same centre backs picked for this week’s squad make it to the World Cup. Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and John Stones offer a number of different qualities to Tuchel depending on the opposition.
Levi Colwill’s injury means it’s difficult to imagine he’ll be back in time to make the World Cup, so his Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah will be hoping a strong season could see his inclusion.
Harry Maguire has been an almost ever-present for England over the past number of years, but his demotion to Manchester United’s bench means it could be the end of his time at the back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is another facing a fight to keep his position in the squad. Tuchel said he is still a consideration despite his poor start to life in Spain, but decided on Reece James and Tino Livramento for this run of games.
James will need to stay fit to keep Alexander-Arnold out of the squad, while Kieran Trippier, Rico Lewis and Djed Spence’s versatility could spell trouble for the former Liverpool man. Add in Ben White’s potential return to an England shirt and it quickly becomes difficult to see how Alexander-Arnold finds his way back into the fray.
At left back, Myles Lewis-Skelly will need to get back into the Arsenal starting line-up but even if he doesn’t he is still one of the best options. Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell have outside chances.
Definite picks: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Reece James, Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Fighting for a spot: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, Jarrad Branthwaite, Joe Gomez.
Needs a big year: Lewis Hall, Tyrick Mitchell, Harry Maguire, Ben White, Ben Chilwell, Jarrel Quansah.
Any up and comers? Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong could be a surprise package this season. If he forces his way into Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup on the regular, expect some calls for him to be included.
Who will play in midfield for England at the World Cup?
Ah, England’s old foe – the midfield. It’s either a feast or a famine for the Three Lions here.
Gone are the days of trying to find a way of including Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard. Now it’s more a case of trying to find the next Lampard, Scholes or Gerrard.
Many think Adam Wharton is the answer, but the cruel timing of his groin injury means he has to wait for a chance to impress Tuchel. He’s almost guaranteed a spot on the plane as England’s best passer.
He’ll definitely be joined by Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham but there is a real sense that the rest of the midfield positions are up for grabs.
Elliot Anderson has a chance to make his claim for a spot on the plane after getting his first senior call up, while his Nottingham Forest teammate Morgan Gibbs-White offers another creative option for Tuchel. The PFA Young Player of the Season Morgan Rogers looks set to go from strength to strength and will be confident of making the squad.
Jordan Henderson’s inclusion in recent squads has been controversial, but a quick glance at Tuchel’s other options at the base of midfield shows that it’s still a position lacking depth.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish’s strong start at Everton could propel him into the squad come next summer.
Definite picks: Declan Rice, Adam Wharton, Jude Bellingham.
Fighting for a spot: Curtis Jones, Jordan Henderson, Conor Gallagher, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers.
Needs a big year: Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Jack Grealish, Harvey Elliott, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo.
Any up and comers? Max Dowman is definitely too young, but the excitement of a 15-year-old as talented as he is could see Tuchel find a spot for him.
Who will play in attack for England at the World Cup?
This is perhaps the easiest part of the squad to predict. Most of England’s best players are in the forward areas of the pitch, but the one difficulty could be in trying to choose the right combination of different styles of player.
Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer have handed Tuchel the opportunity to try out some different players this time around.
Tuchel’s insistence on pace out wide means the continued presence of Marcus Rashford makes sense, despite his poor form over the past few years. Someone like Callum Hudson-Odoi has the talent to push both Rashford and Anthony Gordon for their spots on the left hand side of the attack, but he needs to have a miraculous season to get in ahead of either of them.
On the right, Noni Madueke will likely play backup to Bukayo Saka at both club and international level, while Cole Palmer is a guaranteed pick behind Harry Kane.
Definite picks: Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins.
Fighting for a spot: Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Solanke.
Needs a big year: Liam Delap, Ivan Toney, Eddie Nketiah, Raheem Sterling.
Any up and comers? Take your pick. Breakout seasons from any of the following could see them sneak into the squad: Tyler Dibbling, Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngumhoa, Jamie Gittens.
