GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to name his 26-man England squad for the World Cup on Thursday.
The Three Lions boss has trimmed his options down to a provisional 55-player roster ahead of the final selection later this week.
But there are a couple of Premier League stars who are expected to be overlooked ahead of the final squad.
That is if Southgate was to select it purely based on players’ form so far this season.
And SunSport has taken a look at England’s most in-form XI, according to WhoScored.com.
Here is the team…
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GK: JORDAN PICKFORD
England’s No1 Jordan Pickford has been in fine form for Everton so far this season and would keep his place in between the sticks even if it came down to current form.
The 28-year-old has been Southgate’s first choice for five years now and is showing no signs of letting it slip.
RWB: KIERAN TRIPPIER
Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier is another of Southgate’s favourites and has built on the manager’s belief with some impressive club form.
The former Spurs and Atletico Madrid man has been an instrumental part of Eddie Howe’s side’s success and is surely a starter against Iran later this month.
CB: REECE JAMES
Chelsea defender Reece James may be facing a race to be fit for the World Cup, but he has already shown he deserves a place on the plane.
The 22-year-old has played as a left and right wing-back, while also filling in at the heart of a back three.
His versatility and form make him a certainty in Southgate’s squad… if he can recover from his injury setback.
CB: JAMES TARKOWSKI
Frank Lampard’s Everton were struggling to keep things tight before the start of this season.
But the arrival of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski have stabilised their back line. And Tarkowski has been the standout man – even if Coady is closer to the England team.
He is not even in the conversation for a place on the plane, but the ex-Burnley man can feel aggrieved about that.
CB: BEN MEE
Perhaps the most surprising player in this team is Tarkowski’s former Burnley team-mate Ben Mee.
The Brentford centre-back has been thriving since arriving in west London, but has not been considered for an England cap.
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LWB: SOLLY MARCH
A very underrated part of Roberto De Zerbi’s superb Brighton team, Solly March can count himself unlucky for not being considered for England.
The 28-year-old can play as a wingback on either side of the pitch and has been brilliant for the Seagulls of late.
CM: DECLAN RICE
It’s no surprise that West Ham captain Declan Rice is in this England XI.
The Hammers talisman, 23, is the second name on Southgate’s team sheet after skipper Harry Kane.
And he has continued to perform this season despite being surrounded by an underperforming side.
CM: JUDE BELLINGHAM
Teenager Jude Bellingham already has 17 caps to his name. But now most England fans see him as a non-negotiable starter for the World Cup.
The Borussia Dortmund star has nine goals and two assists already this season.
RW: JAMES MADDISON
One of England’s best-performing players going into the World Cup is Leicester playmaker James Maddison.
Yet despite his six goals and four assists in 12 games this season, the 25-year-old faces the very real possibility of missing out on the squad altogether, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden all seemingly ahead of him.
LW: PHIL FODEN
Manchester City star Foden is fighting for a place in Southgate’s starting XI for the first game against Iran. But he could not have done much more to prove he is deserving of a spot.
The 22-year-old has seven goals and three assists so far this season and would be City’s standout player if it wasn’t for Haaland.
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ST: HARRY KANE
England captain Kane is in some of his best form coming into the World Cup.
The Tottenham striker has already netted 11 Premier League goals so far this season – with only Erling Haaland eclipsing him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
