Gareth Southgate announces 26-man squad for England in the FIFA world cup 2022
England football team manager Gareth Southgate announced 26 names who will be part of the FIFA world cup squad. England's squad is officially announced now.
Southgate had so many problems because some players were struggling to get their form back and so many injuries also occurred. He selected some injured players as well but now time is running out and England will play their first match on 21st November against Iran.
Everyone was surprised after he selected the injured player's Kyle Walker and Kalvin Philips. In my opinion, this is a courageous decision. Absolutely, both Walker and Philips are great players there is no debate but if they could not recover quickly then this will become a big problem for Southgate.
Gareth Southgate included James Maddison in the squad as well who is in brilliant form so his inclusion could be the crucial point in the world cup.
Players who could not get the spot in the squad are Marc Guehi, Tammy Abraham, Joe Gomez, Jadon Sancho, Ivan Toney, Jarrod Bowen, James Ward-Prowse, and Fikayo Tomari.
Reece James, Dominic Calvart-Lewin, and Ben Chilwell these big players also missed the spot in the final 26 due to their injuries.
English fans have so many expectations from England this time because they had reached the semifinals in the 2018 world cup and the final of the Euro cup 2021. Fans want to see England as a champion this time after long-awaited 56 years.
Gareth Southgate has taken England to the final first time since 1966. No other manager has been able to do this. England women's football team won the Euro cup 2022 first time. This will increase the excitement and confidence of players ahead of the 2022 world cup.
There will be a lot of pressure on Southgate this time because important players like Reece James and Ben Chilwell are injured and Kyle Walker is not recovered from his injury. Southgate is going to have a lot of trouble in choosing the starting XI. England is one of the contenders to lift the trophy this time.
We will look at the squad and discuss some of its strengths and weaknesses.
26-man final squad of England
He has so much experience with the Everton club. He has made 192 appearances for Everton and 45 appearances with the national team. His performance in the 2018 world cup Round of 16 match penalty shoot-out. He saved important goals of Uribe and Bacca against Colombia in the shoot-out.
Pickford gained the trust of Southgate through his performance. He was injured in September and missed the UEFA Nations League but still, he is the first choice for Southgate. Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope are his backup options for him.
Defense
Trent Alexander-Arnold gets the spot in the squad. He missed the Euro 2021 due to a thigh injury but Southgate called him back for the world cup.
He is a talented youngster who is known for his cross-passing and assists. He is one of the best right-backs in the world. England will get stability in the right back credit goes to him.
Same problem with the left-back position. Ben Chilwell couldn't make it to the squad because of his injury. He has experience of playing with Chelsea and he is a good player for this position.
Luke Shaw is the alternative for Chilwell. He is a talented player and he proved it before. Shaw was included in the Euro 2020 squad and he showed his performance there. He scored the goal in the 2nd minute which is the fastest-ever goal in the Euro cup final.
Kieran Trippier will join Luke Shaw as a right-back. He proved his importance in England team. Trippier assisted Luke Shaw which was converted into a goal by Shaw came in the final of the Euro Cup. This pair will be the most important part of the defense for England.
Kyle Walker has been included in the squad despite his injury so I think he could be recovered quickly. When he comes back into the starting XI then he will replace Kieran Trippier in the right-back position.
Harry Maguire is currently struggling for form so this is concerning. His performance in the premier league is not good but Southgate has confidence in him.
John Stones is a perfect backup for Harry Maguire. He could be a good option in any formation of line-up either 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1.
No confirmation update about Kalvin Phillips' injury recovery yet so Southgate has a backup option for him. Jude Bellingham could be the replacement for Phillips. He is a talented youngster. He will definitely try to grab this opportunity because he has a chance to perform on the grandest stage.
Mason Mount could start as a link player between the midfield and forward. Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher could join him in the midfield. This will depend on the line-up who will be in the midfield and where.
Jordan Henderson is struggling in the premier league currently. He did not hit any goal or assist in 12 matches so let's see if will he gets a chance in starting XI from 1st match.
Now I will share my opinion. In my opinion, Midfield is a bit of a worrisome problem. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Kalvin Phillips are the quality players. No doubt about it but the lack of depth in midfield is a problem. Conor Gallagher and James Maddison could be creative options.
Harry Kane is the second leading goalscorer for England after Wayne Rooney. He is just 2 goals behind Wayne Rooney and he could become the leading goalscorer for England in Qatar. Wayne Rooney also wants Harry Kane to break his record.
Raheem Sterling is another Striker of England in the 2022 world cup. He scored goals at the Euro cup 2021 at a crucial time. He is in outstanding form in the premier league. He will be in the starting XI without a doubt.
Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden are the other players who want the attacking position in the starting XI.
Southgate has a variety of options in a forward position as a partner for Kane. He can give chance to anyone because so many talented players are in the squad for the forward position.
Callum Wilson and Marcus Rashford could get a chance if Southgate's plan A fails. Marcus Rashford had missed the world cup qualification games due to a shoulder injury. Southgate told him to do a lot to get back in the squad for the world cup but he got selected.
In my opinion, Marcus Rashford or Raheem Sterling should get a chance in the left-winger position along with Harry Kane. Callum Wilson should include in the right winger position because he is in a good form.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ben White.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, James Maddison, Declan Rice.
Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson.
(4-2-3-1): Pickford – Walker/Shaw, Maguire/Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Trippier – Bellingham, Rice – Saka/Wilson, Mount/Gallagher, Sterling/Rashford – Kane
