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World Cup 2018: Could this be England's 23-man squad for Russia?

Pickford, Bertrand, Clyne, Welbeck and Lallana should all be on the plane for Russia
Pickford, Bertrand, Clyne, Welbeck and Lallana should all be on the plane for Russia

With qualification secured in steady-if-unspectacular fashion, attention has already turned to who will represent England at the World Cup in Russia next summer. With an experimental team fielded in the final qualifying match against Lithuania in Vilnius roundly criticised by the public, who can we expect to be on the plane next June, who hasn’t done enough to make it and what, if any, surprises can we expect from Gareth Southgate?

Goalkeepers

All change between the posts for England, but maybe not quite yet. With Jordan Pickford, Fraser Forster and Jack Butland waiting in the wings and the latter being given his sixth cap against Lithuania, England seem to have a wealth of quality options in the coming years between the posts. Southgate has stuck with Joe Hart in the games that have mattered throughout the qualification campaign and there’s no reason to suggest the West Ham keeper will be moved aside ahead of the finals next year. One of the few positions England have genuine options.

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First Choice: Hart. On the plane: Pickford, Butland. Misses out: Forster

Right (Wing) Back

Another of England’s stronger positions with Kyle Walker and Nathaniel Clyne vying to be first choice and Spurs defender Kieran Trippier hoping his recent call-up will result in a seat on the plane. The Manchester City right back was named in the PFA Premier League team of the season by his fellow professionals last season while at Spurs, and has started life very well indeed under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Injuries aside, Walker makes the starting XI with Clyne a very capable backup.

First Choice: Walker. On the plane: Clyne. Misses out: Trippier.

Left (Wing) Back

Again, another strong position for the Three Lions with Danny Rose and Ryan Bertrand competing to be first choice and Luke Shaw and Aaron Cresswell ready to step in. Much depends on the formation Southgate goes with during the competition proper – and more still depends on ability of Bertrand to avoid the niggling injuries that have beset him over recent seasons and Rose to build bridges with his club after ill-advised comments in the summer.

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Luke Shaw is arguably as talented as any of those competing for the left back spot but his issues with his club are well documented. It will take a stellar rest of the season for Shaw to break into the squad, but it’s possible. For now, though, It’s Rose and Bertrand – in that order.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has warned Luke Shaw he has work to do to become first-choice
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has warned Luke Shaw he has work to do to become first-choice

First Choice: Rose. On the plane: Bertrand. Misses out: Shaw, Cresswell.

Central Defenders

Again, much will depend on whether Southgate goes with a flat back four or with three central defenders. Having teased us with a 3-4-3 against Lithuania – an experiment in formation and personnel – some tactical tweaks ahead of next summer may be in the offing. We’ll know more after the foreboding-yet-attractive friendly games in November when England will take on Brazil and Germany.

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John Stones is in exceptional form for Manchester City who have conceded just twice in the Premier League this season and has never been on the pitch for England when they’ve conceded a competitive goal.

Phil Jons has played his way back into England and Manchester United favour
Phil Jons has played his way back into England and Manchester United favour

Gary Cahill is a shoe-in despite being rested against Lithuania. With Eric Dier (more on him later) more than capable of filling in, the need to take 5 central defenders is negated somewhat despite the risk of having only 4 specialist centre backs covering three places in the team. As things stand, Phil Jones is in excellent form for his club and Chris Smalling has played the Premier League equivalent of five full matches in eight months – but has the quality and experience to get a seat, should he prove his fitness. Michael Keane has struggled since his summer move to Everton but may edge out Maguire if Southgate goes with four.

First Choice: Stones, Cahill. On the plane: Jones, Keane, Smalling. Misses out: Maguire

Midfield/Wings

If goalkeeper and the full/wing back positions are England’s strengths, central midfield must rank as the weakest area in terms of quality, form and depth. Eric Dier is guaranteed to start, injuries and form permitting, but he may be the only one with such an assurance. If England persist with a 3-4-3 it would mean a choice between Sterling and Alli on the right hand side of that three – a role both have been playing for their club sides with differing levels of success this season.

England’s Harry Winks, left, and Jordan Henderson look likely to make the squad
England’s Harry Winks, left, and Jordan Henderson look likely to make the squad

There must be a temptation to drop Alli back into a midfield four given the lack of quality options but considering his lack of playing time there in the last 12 months, it would be a risk to say the least. There are a few who aren’t available for selection at the moment due to injury but would supplement England’s midfield depth – Drinkwater and Barkley to name but two – but the player most suited to a central midfield role in a 3-4-3 will struggle to get enough time on the pitch for his club; one Harry Winks, man of the match against Lithuania.

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Jordan Henderson has struggled for club and country of late but makes the squad nonetheless.

Central midfield is probably the most difficult choice for Southgate and not because there’s an embarrassment of riches. Things are altogether brighter out wide with Alli, Sterling, Rashford – even Welbeck and Sturridge at a push – capable of performing there. The key player, though, is Adam Lallana. He has been sorely missed by Liverpool and England and will surely be one of the first names on the list.

Raheem Sterling is in a rich vein of form
Raheem Sterling is in a rich vein of form

We’re still eight months and a handful of matches from squads being named and much will surely happen before then but, right now, Winks gets a seat on the plane ahead of Chalobah who looks unlikely to get over a serious knee injury in time and Jack Wilshere. Wilshere is the kind of player England are crying out for in the centre of the park but he sadly can’t be trusted to be fit.

First Choice: Eric Dier, Adam Lallana. On the plane: Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Harry Winks, Marcus Rashford. Misses out: Drinkwater, Barkley, Chalobah, Antonio, Wilshere, Delph, Walcott.

Forwards

Again, a 3-4-3 leaves just a solitary spot for an out-and-out number 9 and England have one of the very best in world football at the moment. Harry Kane is the one England player that would walk into just about any side on the planet, having continued to develop at an incredible rate. Kane is England’s best and most important player; if fit, he’s the first name on the team sheet, and the captain.

The alternative to Kane being fit is unthinkable, despite decent depth up front. Vardy gets the nod as Kane’s understudy, with Welbeck and Sturridge making up the numbers; both are capable of playing either side of the focal point of the attack as well as backing up the number 9 position.

First Choice: Kane. On the plane: Vardy, Sturridge, Welbeck.