GARETH SOUTHGATE announced his World Cup squad earlier today as England gear up for another huge tournament.
Some stars were left out of the 26-men squad but others, like James Maddison and Conor Gallagher, were surprisingly included.
The boys will be led by captain Harry Kane in the opening game against Iran in just 11 days amid high expectations.
While some in the squad are about to compete in their fifth major appearances, others have not played a single competitive game for England.
SunSport has the lowdown on every single squad player from caps, goals and international experience.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford
Club: Everton
Age: 28 Caps: 45
Previous tournament experience: Two tournaments (2018, 2020), 14 appearances
Goodison gloveman has had his critics but travels as unquestioned No 1. Has shown a growing maturity and distribution is so useful for Southgate’s side.
Aaron Ramsdale
Club: Arsenal
Age: 24 Caps: 3
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), no appearances
Emergency call-up in 2021 but in this squad by right and might have edged ahead of Nick Pope as Pickford’s understudy. No shortage of self-belief, either.
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Nick Pope
Newcastle
Age: 30 Caps: 10
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2018), no appearances
Part of that new-look Toon rearguard and perhaps the best English shot-stopper but not so clever on the deck and blotted his copybook in Germany game in September.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
Age: 24 Caps: 17 Goals: 1
Previous tournament experience: Two tournaments (2018, 2020), one appearance
Reece James’ misfortune is the Liverpool man’s opportunity but Southgate’s doubts over his defensive acumen are justified. That passing ability, though.
Kyle Walker
Manchester City
Age: 32 Caps: 20
Previous tournament experience: Three tournaments (2016, 2018, 2020), 14 appearances
Walker’s recovery from injury is still uncertain but Southgate values his ability to play at full-back or on the right of a three and has taken a gamble.
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Ben White
Arsenal
Age: 25 Caps: 4
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), no appearances
Unused in the summer of 2021 but outstanding at full-back in Gunners’ unexpected title push and gets his chance. Ability to play in a three could help, too.
John Stones
Manchester City
Age: 28 Caps: 59 Goals: 3
Previous tournament experience: Three tournaments (2016, 2018, 2020), 14 appearances, two goals
Star has fallen and risen over the past few years but Southgate needs the Yorkshireman to be a tough as teak Tyke if England are to be contenders.
Harry Maguire
Manchester United
Age: 29 Caps: 48 Goals: 7
Previous tournament experience: Two tournaments (2018, 2020), 12 appearances, two goals
Nobody could claim Maguire has enjoyed the past two years but he has never let Southgate down when the heat was on. That may still be enough for him to start against Iran
Eric Dier
Tottenham
Age: 28 Caps: 47 Goals: 3
Previous tournament experience: Two tournaments (2016, 2018), 10 appearances, one goal
Spurs man was in England wilderness for two years until September recall but his form has since dipped and must have been a touch and go selection.
Conor Coady
Everton (on loan from Wolves)
Age: 29 Caps: 10 Goals: 1
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020)
Did not get off the bench in 2021 but a good tourist who has prospered since his return to Merseyside. Would love to get on the pitch for a single minute.
Luke Shaw
Manchester United
Age: 27 Caps: 23 Goals 3
Previous tournament experience: Two tournaments (2014, 2020), seven appearances, one goal
Recent England displays, and Ben Chilwell’s absence, have secured the Old Trafford man’s likely starting slot on the left against Iran.
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle
Age: 32 Caps: 37 Goals: 1
Previous tournament experience: Two tournaments (2018, 2020), 11 appearances, one goal
Experience in Spain has made Trippier an even more rounded player and ability to play both sides made him an even bigger certainty to be selected. Nobody will forget that Croatia free-kick.
Midfield
Jordan Henderson
Liverpool
Age: 32 Caps: 7 Goals: 2
Previous tournament experience: Five tournaments (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020) 15 appearances, one goal
Liverpool skipper remains a key member of Southgate’s squad even if he may not make the initial starting line-up. Character is hugely important.
Jude Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund
Age: 19 Caps: 17
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), three appearances
Teenager is mature beyond his years and surely a mainstay for a decade or more. No wonder most of Europe’s elite clubs want him and this is his opportunity to shine.
Declan Rice
West Ham
Age: 23 Caps: 34 Goals: 2
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), seven appearances
Ever-present in 2021 and will be again if he stays fit. The perfect platform for the midfielder to show why he is one of England’s brightest jewels.
Conor Gallagher
Chelsea
Age: 22 Caps:
Previous tournament experience: None
The wild-card selection must have been fearing he had blown his chances with his most recent cap in the Hungary home humbling in June but is Southgate’s hunch call.
Mason Mount
Chelsea
Age: 23 Caps: 32 Goals: 5
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), five appearances
Covid impacted on him in 2021 and gets some grief but Southgate is a big fan of his movement, energy, guile and goal threat.
Kalvin Phillips
Manchester City
Age: 26 Caps: 23
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), seven appearances
Other than Sterling, Phillips was the surprise star of Euro 2020 when he started every game and gave Southgate’s side some midfield muscle. Barely played since his summer move so this is a risk.
Forwards
Jack Grealish
Manchester City
Age: 27 Caps: 24 Goals: 1
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), five appearances
Significant impact off the bench in 2021 and still struggling to make himself a starter. Some feel he has sublimated his natural game to fit the Pep pattern. Does Southgate trust him?
Phil Foden
Manchester City
Age: 22 Caps: 18 Goals: 2
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020)
Injury curtailed his involvement 18 months ago yet nobody would quibble if he starts against Iran. Still little more than a pup but with real bite and bark.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
Age: 21 Caps: 20 Goals: 4
Previous tournament experience: One tournament (2020), four appearances
Has recovered from the scars of that missed Final penalty against Italy and an integral part of the Arsenal renaissance. Can play anywhere from left-back to right wing.
Raheem Sterling
Chelsea
Age: 27 Caps: 79 Goals: 19
Previous tournament experience: Four tournaments (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), 18 appearances, three goals
Wideman has struggled at Chelsea this term but Southgate will not forget how he blossomed at Euro 2020. Will be under pressure for a starting slot.
James Maddison
Leicester
Age: 26 Caps: 1
Previous tournament experience: None
Brilliant Leicester form for two years did not seem to have been noticed by Southgate until recently but he has the playmaking and dead ball ability to make an impact.
Callum Wilson
Newcastle
Age: 30 Caps: 4 Goals: 1
Previous tournament experience: None
Toon hitman got a last minute invitation to the party and earned his place as Kane’s understudy with his form for the Geordies. Better late than never.
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Marcus Rashford
Manchester United
Age: 25 Caps: 46 Goals: 12
Previous tournament experience: Three tournaments (2016, 2018, 2020) 13 appearances
Boy wonder of 2016 has become a social campaigner as well as a player. Pace is his key attribute. Still looking for the elusive first tournament goal.
Harry Kane
Tottenham
Age: 29 Caps: 75 Goals: 51
Previous tournament experience: Three tournaments (2016, 2018, 2020), 17 appearances, 10 goals
Can break two more England records – leading scorer and highest tournament marksman – over the next few weeks. Skipper is the first and most vital name on Southgate’s teamsheet.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
