England World Cup squad ‘leaked’ as Man Utd and Arsenal stars make final cut
Gareth Southgate, England's manager, will name his World Cup team on Thursday.
According to rumors, England manager Gareth Southgate will recall Marcus Rashford and Ben White for the Qatar World Cup. However, James Maddison will be devastated because he will be unable to attend the tournament.
Southgate will unveil his World Cup team of 26 on Thursday afternoon. The 52-year-old is making difficult phone calls tonight and tomorrow and has already advised ailing Chelsea midfielder, Reece James, that his fitness is not worth jeopardizing.
Because of James’ withdrawal, Arsenal defender White, who can play at both right and center back, is expected to be recalled. The adaptability of the former Brighton player might be key as Southgate selects whether to play with a back four or a back three.
Rashford’s comeback at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag has convinced England manager Gareth Southgate that the 25-year-old deserves to be back in the Three Lions squad. The attacker has not featured for his country since missing one of Italy’s penalties in last year’s Euro 2020 final defeat at Wembley Stadium.
According to the Guardian, Rashford and White will be among the 26 players whose names will be revealed early Thursday afternoon. But there will be no room for Leicester playmaker James Maddison, whose good Premier League form has sparked a lot of interest in him going to Qatar.
Despite the fact that James has been warned that his knee injury would prohibit him from participating in the tournament, Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips appear to have won their races to be fit. Walker has made an impressive two-month comeback from groin surgery, while Phillips has played only 14 minutes this season due to a shoulder injury.
One of Southgate’s most important considerations will be to select a replacement for captain Harry Kane. Callum Wilson, Ivan Toney, and Tammy Abraham are all vying for the position of striker.
According to the article, Newcastle forward Wilson is presently the favorite, with his six top-flight goals in a surging Magpies club giving him an advantage over Toney and Abraham. This season, he has battled for form with Roma, scoring only twice in 13 Serie A appearances.
Southgate is also concerned about the position of center-back. Harry Maguire, United’s regular starter, has started just one Premier League game since August, and his form is a concern.
Maguire is anticipated to be in the England team, but it is uncertain if he will start the Three Lions’ first group game against Iran on November 21. In the position, Fikayo Tomori appears to have an advantage over Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Liverpool’s Joe Gomez.
Conor Coady, John Stones, and Eric Dier are all set to appear. In midfield, James Ward-Prowse might start ahead of Chelsea duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher, with Phillips, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham also set to travel.
