England team: Who Gareth Southgate's XI would be based on form alone

Harry Maguire – Hull City (WhoScored.com rating 7.47)
Following injuries to Michael Dawson and Curtis Davies, Maguire has thrived alongside Andrea Ranocchia under Marco Silva, with only Ben Mee (61) making more headed clearances than in the Premier League in 2017 (57).
The 24-year-old has played for England U21 once already and has already been linked with a move to Tottenham and Everton.

Andy Carroll – West Ham (WhoScored.com rating 7.29)
Harry Kane’s 7.86 makes him the top English forward but he’s injured and will miss out. Peter Crouch (7.51) no longer plays for England so Carroll is top by default. He has netted four of his Premier League goals this year and has won 61 headers in 2017 – third in the entire division.
Carroll already has nine caps and has scored two goals. Fully-fit, he offers a great alternative for Southgate.

Michail Antonio – West Ham (WhoScored.com rating 7.25) Called up for England by Sam Allardyce, Antonio has been one of West Ham’s shining lights in a difficult season for the club. His six headed goals is bettered only by Andrea Belotti (8) in Europe’s top five leagues this season and the 26-year-old could be ripe for his first England cap.

Nathan Redmond – Southampton (WhoScored.com rating 7.28)
When he is good he is very, very good but when he is bad he is horrid. Bad Redmond’s form has been good this year, and his trickery out wide makes his eye catching and effective. Just 23, Redmond is now ready to make that step up from the England U21 set-up.

Dele Alli – Tottenham (WhoScored.com rating 7.39)
The undroppable Alli might struggle at international level but his form for Tottenham remains impressive. His seven-goal total in 2017 is more than any other Premier League midfielder and his continues to create openings for team mates.

Tom Davies – Everton (WhoScored.com rating 7.08)
The teenager has broken through into the Everton team this season and has been capped from England U16 to U19 levels.
The Toffees average two goals a game when Davies plays and conced just 0.5 compared to 1.6 and 1.3 when he doesn’t.

Ross Barkley – Everton (WhoScored.com rating 7.74)
The attacking midfielder was axed from the last England squad but has been superb his season. Of his seven assists this season, five have come in 2017; only Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (6) has more to his name this year.
He is second to Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen (30) for key passes (25) in the Premier League this year and in his current form, should perhaps be in Southgate’s XI, let alone squad.

Calum Chambers – Middlesbrough (WhoScored.com rating 7.40)
The Arsenal loanee has starred in a defence that has conceded just 30 goals all season, switching from centre back to right back. Just 22, Chambers already has three England caps to his name, but might be out of luck this time round.

Alfie Mawson – Swansea (WhoScored.com rating 7.24)
Under Paul Clement Mawson has thrived as the Swans pull clear of the relegation trapdoor. His rating is one of the best for all centre halves in the Premier League and he’s even managed to score four goals too.
He has committed just six fouls all season and been dribbled past just six times as well. At just 23, he’s one for the future.
Following injuries to Michael Dawson and Curtis Davies, Maguire has thrived alongside Andrea Ranocchia under Marco Silva, with only Ben Mee (61) making more headed clearances than in the Premier League in 2017 (57).
The 24-year-old has played for England U21 once already and has already been linked with a move to Tottenham and Everton.

Leighton Baines – Everton (WhoScored.com rating 7.12)
Already capped 30 times, Baines has not featured since 2015, but might fancy his chances this time round with injuries and lack of game time for Danny Rose and Luke Shaw. He’s behind only James Milner (14) and Nathaniel Clyne (12) for key passes (11) in 2017 of English defenders in the Premier League, with 39 tackles and interceptions this season.

Lee Grant – Stoke City (WhoScored.com rating 6.84)
The 34-year-old filled in brilliantly for Jack Butland and has started 23 of the Potters 28 Premier League games this season. He also has a save success rate of 71.4%.