Goalkeepers
With Joe Hart’s position being in jeopardy after losing his place at Man City but his recent performances on loan at West Ham may see Southgate picking him up for Russia. It looks like the goalkeeping position for England will be a nightmare to pick from but players such as Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope all make a decent shout to taking the no. 1 spot. If Southgate wants to be conservative he will go with Joe Hart but he may likely be left behind to make room for the younger keepers, however, the experience of Hart may prove valuable for the three lions.
My prediction: Joe Hart
Defenders
With Kyle Walker’s position being pretty well nailed down in right back with his amazing performances with Man City, the rest of the defensive line will have to do their best to prove to Southgate they deserve the seat to Russia. Gary Cahill is likely to start for England along side Phil Jones or Chris Smalling but players like Harry Maguire and John Stones look like they could make the centre-back position their’s. James Tarkowski could also make a shout. At left back, Danny Rose will face competition from Luke Shaw but the performances have suffered from the United man as he has had much trouble with injuries in his time.
My prediction: Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones, Danny Rose
Midfielders
Jack Wilshere has proven this season he still has the ability to play at top level but he will face stiff opposition from other players who will try to play in the middle of the park. Dele Alli has been fantastic for Spurs and so has Eric Dier but we might see some younger players making the call for the spot like Ruben Loftus-Cheek who has impressed at Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea. Players like Fabian Delph may also get the call. However it looks like in England’s three man midfield, Spurs will be the dominant side.
My prediction: Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Jack Wilshere
Winger
England have great attacking talent at the moment and players like Raheem Sterling, Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard all make a decent shout to the positions. However it does look like Southgate’s headache might not be as big this time with one wing being quite comfortably Raheem Sterling’s and on the other wing, Jesse Lingard will most likely have his place, but Theo Walcott might make a shout and even Marcus Rashford if Southgate decides to push him out wide.
My prediction: Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard
Striker
Ok, let’s pretend for a moment Harry Kane is not there and see what players could play in his place. Jamie Vardy has been scoring for Leicester and Glenn Murray has been a threat at Brighton but there is no doubt that Kane will be on top, on the bench we might see young players like Tammy Abraham or Dominic Solanke but their lack of experience might cost them their place.
My prediction: Harry Kane
Bench
Butland
Tarkowski
Magure
Smalling
Shaw
Loftus-Cheek
Delph
Young
Vardy
Rashford
Post by: Emil Árnason
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