ENGLAND’S starting XI at the World Cup in 2022 without ‘Big Six’ stars could see some fan-favourite players getting their chance.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs have signed up to a 20-team breakaway European Super League.
The Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’ are joined by Spanish trio Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Italian sides Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
But Uefa and Fifa have threatened ESL players they will be BANNED from representing their national teams.
And while that may rule out many of Gareth Southgate’s top players including Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire, plenty of others would be ready to jump at the chance to represent the Three Lions in Qatar next winter.
One position that is largely unaffected is in goal with Burnley’s Nick Pope and Everton stopper Jordan Pickford battling it out for the No1 spot between the sticks.
England have a plethora of right-back options in Kyle Walker, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and even Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But with those defenders all at ESL ‘founder’ clubs, the impressive Tariq Lamptey of Brighton could get the nod after his breakout for the Seagulls.
However, Under-21s first-choice Max Aarons, who has helped fire Norwich back into the Premier League, could also be in with a chance.
On the other flank, Leicester ace James Justin could be selected if he can rediscover his form after recovering from his ACL injury.
Other non-Big Six English players
WITH the majority of the current squad playing for teams planning to join the European Super League, that could open the door for plenty on the fringes of the England squad to go to Qatar…
JORDAN PICKFORD Everton
SAM JOHNSTONE West Brom
MAX AARONS Norwich
MICHAEL KEANE Everton
JAMES WARD-PROWSE Southampton
JAMES MADDISON Leicester
HARVEY BARNES Leicester
DANNY INGS Southampton
CALLUM WILSON Newcastle
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN Everton
Conor Coady of Wolves is already in the England set-up while Tyrone Mings could be one of THREE Aston Villa starters in the absence of Maguire, John Stones and Joe Gomez.
In midfield, there may not be too much change if Southgate picks a midfield three of West Ham’s Declan Rice, Leeds ace Kalvin Phillips and Jude Bellingham.
The 17-year-old’s Borussia Dortmund snubbed the European Super League, rejecting the chance to join the 12 rebel clubs in the franchise division with no relegation and huge financial incentives.
James Maddison (Leicester) and James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) could also be in with a chance, as too would Jesse Lingard is he completes a permanent switch to West Ham after his stunning loan spell.
In attack, Bellingham’s team-mate Jadon Sancho is a shoo-in on one side with Villa captain Jack Grealish operating on the opposite flank.
And leading the line, Ollie Watkins could be the third Aston Villa starter – although Dominic Calvert-Lewin would have something to say about that.
Fellow strikers Danny Ings and Callum Wilson would also back themselves to make the squad, while Harvey Barnes should be involved.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
