World Cup 2018: Analysing England's 23-man squad

Forwards

Harry Kane's time of reckoning is finally here

It is hard to imagine the England squad without Harry Kane, and he is right up there. Considered as England's messiah for this World Cup, it will be a phenomenal pressure on the Tottenham forward's shoulders, as the hope of an entire nation rests on it.

He has had a great season to go in accordance with the expectations - bagging 43 goals across all competitions is no easy feat. But Kane's problem will be consistency. He cannot afford to go missing in any game if he wants to bring the trophy back.

Fortunately for him, there are a lot of Spurs players in the line-up with whom he has a good rapport, and it will be an important part of England's fortunes in the tournament.

Partnering Kane will be Leicester's Jamie Vardy

Partnering Kane up front will be Leicester's Jamie Vardy. Unlike Kane who likes to take part in the build-up, Vardy is all about being in the box at the right time, and England will benefit from this difference between its two forwards.

Vardy has gone under the radar this season with 24 goals, owing to the immense hype of the newer forwards, and he will be pleased by it. His naturally carefree approach to the game is far different from the mentality most English players carry into the World Cup. Also, his one-time finishes make him an even better candidate.

Can Sterling replicate his club form for country?

Playing down the left wing with these two power hitters will be Raheem Sterling. Under Pep Guardiola, Sterling has transformed into an altogether different player just in time for the World Cup. Bagging 24 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, he is in the form of his life and can only get better.

Like Alli, Sterling likes to dribble the ball in the box and is generally a magnet for attracting challenges from defenders. He also has a sweet curler into the top corner that he doesn't shy away from. If England are to win this World Cup, these three players right here are the most important to their fortunes.

Marcus Rashford has had a quiet season at Manchester United after his breakout last year, and will most likely be on the bench for most of the duration of the tournament. His pace and dribbling, however, make him an excellent substitute against tired legs and Southgate will look to exploit it at every chance.

Despite not getting a lot of minutes, he has 15 goals and 6 assists to his name this season, thus making a stronger case for him as a super sub from the bench.

How Dany Welbeck has managed to get on the plane to Russia after an abysmal campaign at an abysmal Arsenal this season remains a mystery, and the lesser one thinks about it the better. Maybe Southgate sees something in him the rest of the world has tried hard enough and not been able to see.