COMING HOME? Well, we can't predict, especially after the relegation to UEFA League of Nations Group B and loss in Euro 2020, they haven't had the best of time in recent years. While the English squad has full of big names, a lack of Managerial tactics & strategies has let them down regularly. While their Cricketing Team recently won their first World Cup, their still waiting for the second since 1966. England is placed in Group B alongside Iran, USA and Wales. Lucky for them, these teams would not be able to give them stiff competition. But, with their track record of dropping points against the smallest of the nations such as Ireland and Iceland, if they do, it won't come as a surprise.
They have one of the deepest squads to choose their team of 26 from, but they always seem to make some mistakes when it comes come to their line-ups. Especially with Gareth Southgate's obsession with picking several fullbacks. While talking about Gareth Southgate, since his appointment in 2016 after the sacking of Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce, he has managed a fourth-place finish in the 2018 World Cup, a third-place finish in the 2019 UEFA Nations of League, a second place finishes in 2020 Euro and Ninth place finish in 2020-21 UEFA League of Nations. While it might seem an improvement over managers before him, most of the pundits & experts think with a squad such as England's, they shouldn't be lacking rather winning trophies. It was found most obvious when he choose Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, and injured Marcus Rashford to score penalties against Italy in the final 2020 which they lost. Saka & Sancho aren't designated penalty takers while Rashford's injuries weren't news to him, all 3 of them are still feeling PTSD and racial abuse due to his managerial mistake. On paper, he has won 46 matches, drew 16 matches, and lost 12 matches of 74 matches they have played under him.
Nevertheless, our picks for the World Cup 2022 flight to Qatar are:
Goalkeeper
Our Pick: Nick Pope
His two deputies would be Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson.
Nick Pope has been in one of the best forms of his life in the last recent few seasons, even thou playing for mid-table teams and relegation battlers like Newcastle United, and Burnley. He is real sense came to the notice after his breakout season with Burnley in 2016/17. So far he has kept 3 Clean Sheets in 7 matches this season, and 9 clean sheets in 36 matches last season while playing for relegation-stuck Burnley saving 121 shots with just 1 error leading to the goal. At 30 years of age, he is in his absolute prime. His two deputies without doubt should be Nottingham Forest's shot stopper Dean Henderson and Arsenal's No. 1, Aaron Ramsdale. Both of them have been in fine form this season and the season before this one.
3 names we snubbed are 3 names that are both past their primes and haven't shown much promise this season or last season Everton's Jordan Pickford with just 1 Clean Sheet this season conceding 6 goals sitting 13th on the table with just 1 win and 4 draws and were almost relegated last season, Tottenham Hotspurs's No. 2 Fraser Forster who formerly played for Southampton hasn't played a match yet, which could change with Lloris' injury but his chance would stay the same, and Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone who is now competing with Vicente Guaita, and Jack Butland but haven't found his time between the sticks. Former Manchester United academy Graduate did find some form last season with West Brom Albion but failed to cement his place in English Squad with just 3 caps for the Three Lions.
Defense
Our Pick: Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, John Stones, and Ben Chilwell
Other picks would be Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Conor Coady, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Eric Dier, Ben White, Marc Guehi, Ben Chilwell, and Luke Shaw.
Well, we can understand that we are making a big mistake of including more fullbacks than center-backs, even then, 2 names are more capable than having them not. Both Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw are capable of playing as right and left center back if Gareth Southgate pays a 3 or 5 at the back formation. While Kyle Walker does have the ability, his explosive game is more needed on right back than as right center back. Fikayo Tomori is one of those names which you call "Criminally Underrated" and have a hard time finding a place in the English XI, in our squad, he will start. He starts alongside Manchester City's John Stones, who might be the best option possible for the team alongside Ben White. On the wings Chelsea's Reece James over Trent Alexander-Arnold due to his performance this season and lack of defensive capabilities. On the left side, another Chelsea's Ben Chilwell again due to his better track record compared to Luke Shaw. The only third option would be Kyle Walker-Peters, he is in complete contention.
One of the biggest problems would be Manchester United's Captain Harry Maguire, who interestingly is yet to win a single match with either England or Manchester United this new season. His continued failure as a player is starting to generate a question about his selection for the national team. Other names who haven't inspired confidence are Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings, while both of them are capable players, recent form has raised some eyebrows, especially around Conor Coady who was in a good form but since last season, his form has dipped and his loan spell at Everton hasn't been a revelation either. Some younger names such as Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Arsenal's Ben White could inspire some new confidence in this team. On the full-back, Luke Shaw is one of the biggest issues with his form and fitness is nothing like the same of the World's Left back of the 2020/21 season.
Some names certainly not making the list is Joe Gomez, Phil Jones,
Midfield
Our Pick: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount
Other names would be Kalvin Phillips, James Ward-Prowse, Bukayo Saka, James Maddison, Jordan Henderson, and Connor Gallagher.
While the defense is overloaded with players, Midfield lacks the options three lions once had in the 2000s with Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, and Owen Hargreaves amongst others. While 3 names need to be absolute starters in Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Mason Mount. Declan Rice has been one of the best defensive midfielders in recent years but his partner and England's Player of the Year Kalvin Phillips has been on a downfall since his move away from Elland Road to Manchester City with several experts saying that Rodri is already at the Etihad Stadium, it could be a fail move. Jude Bellingham has been one of the standout players for Borussia Dortmund with several top clubs being linked with the move away which could see the light next summer transfer window with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea all monitoring, World Cup could be a vital tournament for him and his future. Lastly, Mason Mount even with his Chelsea woes, he's one of the most capable players to lead the line as the No. 10 for the squad. While Bukayo Saka & James Maddison would be 2 names highly rated on the list to be in the starting contention.
Some names who certainly won't be making the list from the past list are Harry Winks, Emile Smith Rowe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Harvey Barnes, Delle Alli, and Jesse Lingard.
Forward
Our Pick: Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and Marcus Rashford
Other names include Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, Jarod Bowen, Raheem Sterling, Tammy Abraham, and Ivan Toney.
While midfield and midfield are full of problems, one part which seems the most sorted and in-form before the World Cup starts is the forward line. Harry Kane is 4 goals away from breaking Wayne Rooney's record of becoming the highest goalscorer for the national team. On the wings supporting him would be Manchester City's Phil Foden and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford. With 3 goals and 2 assists for Marcus Rashford of which a brace against Arsenal and a winner against Liverpool as a striker shows that maybe the Marcus Rashford everyone once compared with Kylian Mbappe could be back. While on the other hand needs to be one of the best young players England has to offer, Phil Foden. He too has 3 goals and 2 assists in 10 matches for the Citizens. Both of the Manchester Academy Graduates could be the answer to several issues of which one is the non-scoring forward line. Along with them, trusted Raheem Sterling, Rashford's partner Jadon Sancho, Foden's Partner Jack Grealish, Roma's striker Tammy Abraham, West Ham's winger Jarod Bowen, and Brentford's Striker Ivan Toney, they might be happy upfront.
Some names who won't be cutting are Dominic Calvert Lewin, Ollie Watkins, Patrick Bamford, Danny Ings, and Mason Greenwood.
Our Finals Squad of 26: Nick Pope, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kyle Walkers, Fikayo Tomori, Conor Coady, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Ben White, Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier, Ben Chilwell; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount, Bukayo Saka; Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling
While the English squad is full of big names, they never have lacked names, what they did lack was a manager who can manage them and they are the names that can guarantee trophies. While Gareth Southgate isn't the best name to do that while replacing him 2 months before World Cup could cause either a 1966 repeat or another classic England failure.
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