Picking England's 2018 World Cup Squad After Latest International Games
Were the FIFA World Cup starting tomorrow, who would England manager Gareth Southgate pick in his squad travelling to Russia?
After the Three Lions' most recent internationals, Southgate certainly has food for thought on how this team develops over the next 12 months.
England should have beaten Scotland at Hampden Park, but their game management let them down, and a last-gasp equaliser from Harry Kane that avoided defeat papered over the cracks. Instead of England's failure, we were left talking about their fighting spirit.
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That all went out of the window when 10-man France defeated them 3-2 in Paris three days later, though. England were left humbled by Didier Deschamps' young side and given a major wake-up call for the work they have to do if they are to avoid the pain of Brazil 2014 when they travel to Russia.
Still, the Three Lions have a new generation coming through and Southgate hasn't had a full season with his players. There is hope to be had for England as the team matures together.
But based on what we've seen right now, who should Southgate take to Russia? Bleacher Report picks its 23-man squad.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart
He may not be wanted by Manchester City, but Joe Hart remains England's best goalkeeper. Some cracks are beginning to appear in his game, though, and he will be disappointed with the goals he conceded against Scotland.
He finds himself in the same position as Rob Green at South Africa 2010, when his position was under intense scrutiny. Back then, it was Hart being mooted as his replacement, and now it is he who is feeling the pressure from those coming through.
Jordan Pickford
One of the most spoken-about young Englishmen right now, Pickford is an England No. 1 in the making. He's shown us that much with his form for Sunderland, and although he's been used in England's under-21 squad for this summer's Euros, he'll be a big figure next season.
Tom Heaton made his first start for England in Paris, but over the course of 2016/17, Pickford showed himself to be gaining rapidly and will usurp him.
Jack Butland
After a year out with an ankle injury, Butland is back in the England squad and reminding us of what he's all about. He showed good presence against France when he replaced Heaton at the interval and is another 'keeper pushing for the No. 1 shirt in the coming years. The World Cup will probably come too soon for him to dislodge Hart, but he certainly makes the plane.
Defenders
Gary Cahill
Like with Hart, there are other players coming through for England who will challenge Gary Cahill in the coming years. But as a player who has featured at two European Championships and the World Cup, England can't replace his experience just yet. He'll be vital for Southgate at the back.
Phil Jones
Get him fit and playing regularly and Phil Jones is one of England's best defenders. His performance against France was excellent, with Jones' positioning and reading of the game one of the highlights in an otherwise forgettable evening for the Three Lions.
That display alone shows why he can't be ignored here.
John Stones
Playing at the heart of England's defensive three, the Manchester City man has everything to be for England what David Luiz has been for Chelsea. He's calm on the ball and starts attacks from the back.
But if England ditch the 3-4-3 that they continue to experiment with, John Stones looks suspect. He needs a commanding centre-back alongside, and England don't have one right now. He gives Southgate plenty of options, though.
Michael Keane
There's no doubting Michael Keane has proved himself to be a Premier League-quality defender with Burnley. The question now is whether he can make the next step in his career, meaning this summer will be an important one for him based on the decisions he makes.
One thing is for certain: He may not have featured in the latest matches, but those who did ahead of him will be looking over their shoulder, as he's a big prospect for club and country.
Kieran Trippier
At the end of 2016/17, Kieran Trippier was getting picked ahead of Kyle Walker for Tottenham Hotspur. His debut against France showed why, with Trippier demonstrating he can be a viable alternative at wing-back. He's leapfrogged others in his position such as Nathaniel Clyne.
Kyle Walker
From one Spurs man to another, Kyle Walker played as a left wing-back against France when he came off the bench, before eventually switching to the right. We know what he's all about, and he's just ahead of Trippier as England's best option on the right. That could change in the next year, though.
Ryan Bertrand
Southampton will do well to retain Ryan Bertrand's services this summer after he impressed for England against Scotland and France. Those performances reinforced his growing reputation as one of England's finest left-sided players.
His assist for Kane against France was another indicator of the attacking threat he possesses, too. A good all-rounder on the left.
Danny Rose
Right behind Bertrand is Rose on the left. He hasn't featured for England recently due to injury, and in that time Bertrand has usurped him in the pecking order. But outside of this pair, Southgate doesn't have many options.
The manager admitted that much when Aaron Cresswell remained benched until late on against France, with Bertrand being replaced by Walker on the left. Rose offers more depth in that area.
Midfielders
Eric Dier
Is he a defender or a midfielder? Whatever the answer, Eric Dier needs to find out. And quick. We saw the good and bad side of his game against France, with Dier's error leading to Ousmane Demebele's winner.
When on form, Dier has everything in his locker. He's a real physical presence and can marshal a midfield. His problem is his naivety, and until he cements his place in one position, those errors are going to continue.
Jordan Henderson
He's one of the players who lives up to the cliche: Jordan Henderson has become a better player while he's been injured. Without him, we've seen that England don't have another player like him in central midfield.
He's far from being a midfield general, but Henderson comes with a little bit of everything. He can scrap, and he can get the ball down to play football. When England were under pressure against France, they missed that sort of figure.
Nathaniel Chalobah
Currently on duty with the under-21s at the Euros, Nathaniel Chalobah is featured here for the reasons above when discussing Henderson and Dier. England have a severe lack of central midfielders who can play the jack-of-all-trades role. Chalobah is capable of doing that.
He earned the trust of Antonio Conte last season, and as back-up in the England squad, he would reinforce an area of the pitch where the Three Lions are weak.
Would he start? Very unlikely, but as a squad player, Chalobah has all the attributes to benefit England.
Raheem Sterling
His backheel to release Bertrand for Kane's opener against France was sublime. Raheem Sterling showed poise and patience in the build-up to that goal—something that isn't always associated with him. That shows the gradual influence of Pep Guardiola on his game, arming Sterling with more to his repertoire.
At his best, the Manchester City man is an explosive force and can turn defences on the break. He's dynamic and England have few players like him.
Adam Lallana
Jurgen Klopp has had a major influence in making Adam Lallana a big figure for England. The Liverpool man presses better than he ever has in his career, and that's meant the Reds look a more formidable unit. That has carried over to his England form, and it was notable when he was missing against France.
England need to understand how to apply more pressure, and players such as Lallana are key to that.
Dele Alli
Alongside Kane, Dele Alli is one of the major positives in this England squad. He's hinted at repeating his club form for England but needs more time to become the pivotal figure we see in the Premier League.
He showed presence against Scotland and France; now he needs to discover that killer instinct we know he has.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Whatever Southgate does, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's performance against France proves the point that he shouldn't be playing as a central midfielder. He was woeful in Paris, proving a major weakness in a key part of the pitch.
His strength is out wide, where he can expose players one-on-one and create openings. He isn't tactically aware enough or disciplined enough to play centrally.
He's included here as a wide man in England's attack.
Forwards
Harry Kane
The one-season wonder continues to defy his critics. Well, he would if he had any left. Kane is England's best striker without a doubt and wearing the armband for his country in their recent internationals, he has shown he's a leader, too.
His goal against Scotland showed great courage under fire, and he followed that up with a brace against France. He's the best thing about England right now.
Dominic Solanke
We couldn't ignore the Young Lions who won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea recently. Dominic Solanke was named Player of the Tournament en route to England being crowned champions, outlining what a fine talent he is.
He's spent a season on the sidelines at Chelsea, running down his contract in dispute with the club. Now he's joining Liverpool, we're predicting big things for Solanke. He has scored goals at every level he has played, and if Klopp plays him, he'll do it at Liverpool.
Every World Cup squad has a wild card, and Solanke is ours.
Marcus Rashford
The same age as Solanke, Marcus Rashford is a couple of years ahead in his development and already has tournament experience under his belt. That puts him ahead of Solanke in the pecking order, and if he continues scoring goals, he'll be ahead of more senior players soon enough.
While we saw France boasting youngsters like Kylian Mbappe and Dembele against England, the Three Lions could be looking at their own golden stars in the likes of Rashford and Solanke.
Jamie Vardy
Injury prevented him from playing a part for England recently, but Jamie Vardy would still squeeze his way into our World Cup squad. His pace is a major asset to any team, and it asks big questions of defenders. Whether it's as an impact player off the bench, or even starting games, Vardy's inclusion would be a major feather in the cap for England.
Jermain Defoe
He's likely leaving Sunderland this summer, and if Jermain Defoe can keep up his scoring, there's every reason for him to be on the plane to Russia with England. That doesn't mean he'll be starting much, but players like him will give Southgate's squad a blend of youth and experience that can prove valuable outside of game time.
It's not enough for teams to arrive at a World Cup with just talent. They need nous, and players such as Defoe have been around the block a few times; they understand how it all works, and that can go a long way.
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