On the evening of the 10th, Beijing time, England coach Southgate announced England's 26-man squad for the World Cup, including Walker and Phillips, several players who had just returned from injury caught the last train of the World Cup, but I don't know if these players who just got off the sick bed can really help improve the strength of the Three Lions. After all, England were already in fourth place in the last World Cup, and this time they certainly want to go further.
For quite some time recently, there has been a lot of attention about who England will bring at right-back, and due to Walker's surgery, James' accidental injury, and Alexander-Arnold's slump, Southgate, who originally had "4 insurance" in this position, was actually only available to Trippier. After much consideration, Southgate made the final decision, except for Chelsea defender James who was indeed unable to play due to injury, the remaining three have been given the opportunity to travel to Qatar, but I don't know who will be higher in the current pick.
In addition to the right-back (right-wing-back), England actually has another person whose name is often mentioned in the backline, he is the central defender Tomori, who currently plays for Serie A giants AC Milan. Since joining the Rossoneri, the once-lackluster defender has been reborn at Chelsea, and his outstanding performances have been a key guarantee for AC Milan to win the league title last year. Unfortunately, he was not included in the squad this time, and the same situation is also seen in the veteran Chris Smalling, although the older age of the Roma defender also puts him at a disadvantage in competition with others.
England's goalkeeper selection is actually not suspenseful, Pickford has secured a main position with his consistent performance at Everton, while Ramsdale, who has been successful at Arsenal, is currently slightly ahead of Newcastle goalkeeper Pope, while goalkeeper Henderson, who joined Nottingham Forest on loan this season, finally regretted not playing for the Three Lions.
In midfield, Southgate also gave a chance to recover from a serious injury, he is Calvin Phillips, who joined Manchester City from Leeds United this season, the tough guy has hardly performed for Manchester City because of a shoulder injury, but considering his performance at last year's European Championship, Southgate chose to continue to believe in last year's main player after communicating with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. The other candidates are not much different from last year's Euros, with the only new face being Gallagher, who has returned to Chelsea this season, and the artist-inspired midfielder is also the hope for England's future.
Up front, it is no surprise that Sancho, who has been mediocre at Manchester United this season, has been defeated, as his performance is difficult to persuade and he was replaced by Maddison, who played well at Leicester City. Manchester City duo Foden and Grealish, as well as Marcus Rashford, Saka and Raheem Sterling, are also in doubt. As for the selection at centre-forward, Southgate, in addition to continuing to trust captain Kane, gave Newcastle striker Wilson a chance this time when he gave up Abraham who played for Roma.
England's 26-man squad for the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Pickford (28/Everton), Pope (30/Newcastle), Ramsdale (24/Arsenal)
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold (24/Liverpool), Cody (29/Everton), Dyer (28/Tottenham), Harry Maguire (29/Manchester United), Luke Shaw (27/Manchester United), Stones (28/Manchester City), Trippier (32/Newcastle), Walker (32/Manchester City), Ben White (25/Arsenal)
Midfielders: Bellingham (19/Borussia Dortmund), Gallagher (22/Chelsea), Henderson (32/Liverpool), Mount (23/Chelsea), Phillips (26/Manchester City), Rice (23/West Ham)
Forwards: Foden (22/Manchester City), Grealish (27/Manchester City), Kane (29/Tottenham), Madison (25/Leicester), Marcus Rashford (25/Manchester United), Saka (21/Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (27/Chelsea), Wilson (30/Newcastle)
Text / Zhang Kunlong, reporter of Beijing Youth Daily
Editor/Xu Zhao