Probable England Squad for World Cup 2018

England will land in Russia with very high hopes of ending a fifty odd-year-old drought. The current crop of players is youthful and certainly has the X-factor. As always, the English manager has plenty to choose from. Here I am going to list the players whom I think will make the 23-man squad and the reasons why Gareth Southgate might go for them.

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Goalkeepers

Jordan Pickford

Everton ended the season on a much better note when compared to Stoke City, who ended up being relegated. Although there is nothing much to choose between Pickford and Butland, I reckon the Everton stopper might most probably get the nod as the England No. 1 at Russia.

Jack Butland

It is going to be quite a tight race between Pickford and Butland, but I reckon Southgate might go with the former given the morale carried from the Premier League season.

Nick Pope

Although Joe Hart brings in a bag of experience playing in big tournaments, Southgate might side towards youth and current form. Nick Pope has been excellent for Burnley in the absence of another England probable Tom Heaton and should be able to make the squad as the third-choice goalkeeper.

Defenders

Gary Cahill

Any good football team needs a leader at the back. Gary Cahill has had regular game time with Chelsea at the end of the campaign and looks raring to go. He is a natural leader at the back and should not just make the squad, but the playing eleven at Russia.

John Stones

John Stones had an excellent first half of the season but barely featured in the second half of the season for Manchester City. He seems fit, and Gareth Southgate prefers him ahead of Chris Smalling because of Stones’ superior ball-playing ability.

Phil Jones

Although fitness is a significant issue for Jones, he is undoubtedly one of the best centre-backs currently in England. He may not be starting games but is a good backup to have.

Harry Maguire

If there was toss between Tarkowski and Maguire, I reckon Southgate would go with Maguire. Harry Maguire is quick and packs a punch, and is an ideal partner for John Stones if Cahill does not make the eleven.

Kyle Walker

Walker has improved significantly since his move from Spurs to City and indeed resembles a £50m player. Gareth Southgate might play him as the third central defender, something he has tried in the recent international friendlies.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent has made the right wing-back position his own at Liverpool. If Walker plays as the third central defender, it is most likely that Trent can straightaway walk into the right wing-back role for England.

Ryan Bertrand

Ryan has been on good form at Southampton and has been the most consistent left-back of the season, and should naturally start as the left wing-back, assuming Southgate opts for three central defenders.

Danny Rose

Danny Rose's career has been hampered by injuries. However, Rose has finished the season on a high. Similar to Trippier, Rose could serve as a deputy for Ryan Bertrand on the left wing.

Midfielders and Wingers

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson is not a fancy player who might lack the cutting edge. But he is a true professional who will work his socks off in central midfield. Also, he would be a potential candidate to captain the side.

Eric Dier

Eric Dier is one of the most versatile players available to Gareth Southgate. He can partner Henderson in the central midfield or play deep alongside the central defenders and allow the likes of Walker and Bertrand to gallop upfield and combine in offensive moves. In any case, Eric Dier should be assured of a place in the starting line-up.

Jack Wilshere

Jack has had a consistent season and has looked fit. He is a box-to-box midfielder who can turn defence into attack with his wide range of passes from the midfield. He might not be a contender to start games but can provide an impact off the bench.

Jake Livermore

Livermore might just get the nod over Adam Lallana because of the game time he has enjoyed this season. He is a reliable player whom the Manager trusts. Could serve as an able backup for Jordan Henderson.

Danny Welbeck

This might be a surprise, but Danny has shown that he can play on the wing for Arsenal, and with England lacking a proper winger on the left, Welbeck could prove to be able option, and as a backup for Marcus Rashford as well.

Dele Alli

Dele Alli is a certainty on the plane to Russia although Lingard might be pushing him for a starting spot in the playing eleven. He has proved his critics wrong time and time again and is most likely to start in the packed offensive line-up for England.

Raheem Sterling

Manchester City supporters may say that Raheem Sterling has missed more than what he scored; The reality is that he has grown to become a prolific player under Pep Guardiola and is sure to create plenty of chances for Kane and Vardy from his right-wing position.

Jesse Lingard

He has done enough this season to get a ticket to Russia. He might not start straightaway ahead of Rashford and Alli but is someone that Southgate can bank to create or score goals as a substitute.

Ashley Young

Gareth Southgate is not gifted with many classical wingers. Ashley Young has played his trade as a left wing-back for Manchester United, but has the experience and can operate on either side of the wing when needed.

Forwards

Harry Kane

If England is to achieve anything substantial in Russia, then Kane would have to be at his prolific best. England bank heavily on Kane to deliver the goods up front.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy is hard working and will be a nightmare for central defenders. However, Southgate might resist the temptation of playing both Kane and Vardy together, and might use Vardy mostly from the bench.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford will most likely play from the left wing and is more than capable of playing as a centre-forward alongside Kane or Vardy as per demanding situations.