Qatar 2022: My England Squad
The World Cup is upon us, no matter how dubious, the tournament is imminent. Gareth Southgate is due to name his 26-man squad today.
Over the course of this season and last summer, the constant debate of who to take has been going on, but the ridiculous timing of this World Cup has led to Southgate having his choices made for him when it comes to certain, unfortunate, players.
So just like every England supporter around the country, I decided to come up with the 26 I’d take to the middle east.
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Pickford - England’s number one of the last five years, and has played well enough in the shirt to keep that spot. Shaky form for his club Everton, but stable enough, and always seems to show up for his country. Wouldn’t be an automatic start for me, but near enough a shoe in for the squad.
Nick Pope - Arguably my number one choice, has been England’s long-term back up and is more than familiar with the squad. Pope is having a great first year at Newcastle United and has always been solid at his former stint at Burnley. No brainer this pick.
Aaron Ramsdale - Arsenal’s number one makes the squad as my third choice keeper. Ramsdale is having a good season, behind a stellar Gunners defence, with his team top of the Premier League, having the joint-best defensive record in the league. A great backup and dressing room player to have on the plane.
CENTRAL DEFENCE
John Stones - The Manchester City defender has been in and out of the City game, with Pep Guardiola’s rotation in full swing, but when played has stepped up to the plate. Stones brings top-level experience, pace and strength at the back, and has also played in both a back four, and back three. Fits all the defensive strategies and is a top player.
Fikayo Tomori - A Serie A title winner with AC Milan, comes in on the back of two superb seasons in Italy. A player who is, again, adaptable to a back three and four, brings a lot of pace and a different outlook for the defence. Gained three caps over the last two International windows, so has had time around the squad. Based on form, has to be in my squad.
Eric Dier - The return of Eric Dier, called up in the last window and is playing well under Antonio Conte at Tottenham. A revitalised Dier adds some power and strength to the centre of this defence, has also played in many defensive strategies and has experience in major tournaments. A really solid addition to the squad, whether he plays or not.
Ben White - A big part of the table-topping Arsenal side this year, Ben White, who was in the Euro’s squad but didn’t make an appearance, makes my squad for Qatar. White adds a lot of versatility to the squad, having played at both centreback and right back this season. With him being in the squad for a good while, helps the younger additions to grasp tournament football. Had to be in the squad.
Marc Guehi - My final central defender is Marc Guehi. I came close to picking Harry Maguire here, who will probably be in Southgate’s 26, but I’ve gone for the youthful an inform option here. Guehi adds physicality alongside Dier, and brings a strong level of leadership, having captained both Swansea City and Crystal Palace in the last three years.
LEFT BACK
Luke Shaw - My main chose at left back, with a lot of injuries lying around, the Manchester United player makes my squad. In and out of the Erik ten Haag revolution, Shaw was a huge part of the Euros squad and will be at the World Cup. Best available and solid down the left at all defensive positions.
Ryan Sessegnon - My first curve ball of the squad, Sessegnon has found form under Conte at Tottenham, playing at left wingback. Brings an attacking option for the position and adds versatility if we chose to switch to a back three. Adds some unwavering youth the the side as well.
RIGHT BACK
Kyle Walker - If fit, an absolute must have. A very experienced England International, brings leadership, versatility, pace and top level quality. Can play centrally as well as out wide. No brainer.
Kieran Trippier - The Newcastle United defender has been around the set up for a long time now and is enjoying a stellar season up north. A favourite with Southgate, brings quality and experience, along with an X factor when it comes to free kicks. We all remember Croatia 2018.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - The Liverpool defender has faced a lot of questions on his defender this season, but has quality on the ball that is undeniable. Comes into my squad as probably the third choice, but an option too good to not include.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Declan Rice - England’s best holding midfielder. The West Ham player hasn’t had the best season so far but brings experience and quality you can’t deny. Solid player who would undoubtable start for me, can start anywhere across a midfield three, but great in the defensive pivot role.
Jude Bellingham - The most inform player in this squad, on fire for Borussia Dortmund and going from strength to strength in all phases of his play. The perfect box-to-box midfielder fir the side, bundles of energy and quality, only going to get better. Had to be in.
Mason Mount - Chelsea’s Mount was always going to be in. Not on fire this season, but brings another attacking option that can drop deep, and is always a threat around the box. Has experience in the England set up too, which is always a bonus
Jordan Henderson - Henderson is a hugely influential player, the Liverpool Captain adds bags of experience and quality in defensive areas. Again, not having the best season, but is incredibly important in the dressing room, if not on the pitch. The Vice-Captain for a reason.
James Maddison - Probably my second curveball of the squad, but like the fans want, Maddison has to go. The one shining light of Leicester City’s year, has never fallen on the right side of Southgate but has to be in the squad. Adds quality and form going forward, dead-ball specialist and brings bags of creativity.
WINGERS
Jack Grealish - A lot has been made about Grealish in the last year and half. In and out of City’s team, out of form and not hitting the heights he did at Aston Villa. Despite this, there is no doubting the impact Grealish can have, and has shown in an England shirt. The impact he cna have with his quality and driving runs, means I take him to Qatar.
Bukayo Saka - Arsenals golden boy and almost the same for England. Loving life in domestic football, and has all the attributes as a great winger. Inform and in the squad. Simple.
Phil Foden - Manchester City’s chosen one and is just a quality attacking player. Bags and bags of quality, unpredictable for defenders, and though he hasn’t lived up to for England, was always going to make the squad.
Raheem Sterling - A lot wouldn’t pick Sterling, with his stuttering form at new team Chelsea, but a player I think is needed for a tournament. Not a starter for me, but so much experience and quality, it seems stupid not to take him. Been at many former tournaments, and always performs for England. A great player to have who knows his way around the International game.
Jarrod Bowen - My last winger pick, and I’ve gone for the safest option. The West Ham United forward hasn’t his the heavy heights that he did last season, but brings drive and pace, plus he has been around the squad for some time.
STRIKERS
Harry Kane - The Captain was obviously in. Tottenham’s best player and England’s best striker. An unbelievable finishing, and has been superb dropping back and creating chances for others. The all-round sole striker. You know the rest. Starter.
Callum Wilson - Newcastle United’s talisman forward, in the form of his life, makes the plane. A fox in the box, has bagged six goals and two assists this years and is a solid addition. Brings a different sort of play to Kane, being a more right place, right time guy, but has the pace to keep up with wingers and rarely misses. One of my favourite choices for the squad.
Ivan Toney - I needed a more physical type of forward to round off my squad, I went with Brentford’s Ivan Toney over Roma’s Tammy Abraham. The more inform of the two, Toney adds the physicality, quality and height to my attacking options. Earnt the spot with his form over the last two seasons.
A lot of these players probably won’t make Southgate’s squad, and we all know Maguire and Kalvin Phillips will be in there, but this is my squad that I think would be best for England. Let the conversation and beer fuelled debates on who should have gone, who shouldn’t and the ‘why the heck are playing him?’ commence.
