Predicted England squad for the World Cup: Do Foden and Palmer make it and is there a place for Maguire?

England’s dismal display against Japan last night means head coach Thomas Tuchel has much to ponder before he names his World Cup squad in May.

The Three Lions were toothless without striker Harry Kane, slipping to a 1-0 defeat with a performance that was even worse than Friday’s disappointing display in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

This international break has most likely solidified some thoughts in Tuchel’s mind but where does the squad stand with just over two months to go until England open their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Arlington.

ON THE PLANE

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson

Pickford is the undisputed number one for England with no real challengers emerging since the last World Cup in Qatar. Dean Henderson has had a fine season with Crystal Palace and will go as first-choice back up.

Defenders: Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly

Guehi and Konsa will likely form the central defensive partnership to start the tournament. It has been Guehi plus one for some time but Aston Villa’s Konsa has played more minutes under Tuchel than any other defender and will definitely be on the plane. Livramento’s ability to play in both full-back positions means he is an attractive pick while O’Reilly’s versatility also makes him a sensible option in tournament play.

Midfield: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers

Rice and Anderson will, barring injuries, start against Croatia. It is then seemingly a fight between Bellingham and Rogers for that third midfield spot. Rogers is undoubtedly a Tuchel favourite while his relationship with Bellingham has been less straightforward.

Forwards: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon

Kane’s absence against Uruguay and Japan displayed just how important he is to England’s cause. Without the Bayern Munich striker, Tuchel’s side looked bereft of attacking threat. Rashford has had a fine season for Barcelona and has the X-factor that could be required in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Saka is a cert to start on the right while Gordon was a mainstay of the qualifying campaign.

LIKELY TO GO

Goalkeeper: James Trafford

Trafford may not have had the season he envisaged when he signed for Manchester City with Gianluigi Donnarumma following him in at the Etihad weeks later but he remains the best option long-term for England when Pickford retires. He’s a better goalkeeper than Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope already and taking him to a World Cup now makes perfect sense.

Defenders: Reece James, Lewis Hall, John Stones

James and Stones’ inclusions here and not in the ‘on the plane’ section are purely fitness based. The Chelsea captain has seen off all competition for the right-back berth but there is, as yet, no known date for his return from a hamstring injury. Stones has had another disrupted season and appears to have fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City. If fit, he would be first-choice alongside Guehi. Lewis Hall has been excellent for Newcastle over recent months but it seems Tuchel needs some convincing. Has the potential to wear the number three shirt for the next decade.

Midfielders: Adam Wharton

Jordan Henderson continues to linger around the squad, as much for his personality than his ability. There is no doubt Wharton is the better player and his mix of defensive quality and craft are likely to get him the nod.

Forwards: Noni Madueke, Dominic Solanke

Madueke seems to have moved ahead of Jarrod Bowen as back up to Saka on the right while Solanke, despite a largely indifferent season for Spurs, was the only recognised number nine to play against both Uruguay and Japan.

STILL IN THE RECKONING

That leaves five places available in the 26-man squad. Essentially, it will be between the following players…

Defenders: Harry Maguire, Dan Burn, Ben White, Jarell Quansah, Fikayo Tomori, Luke Shaw, Djed Spence

Burn’s presence through qualifying, like Henderson’s, was surely more about setting standards than ability. The Newcastle centre-half is not equipped to cope with top-flight international football. Maguire has been there and done it and is back in form at Manchester United. You’d have no qualms with him starting a knockout game. White’s ability to play right-back and centre-half may see him included.
Quansah and Tomori need injuries elsewhere to get in while Shaw is seemingly not in Tuchel’s plans. Spence can play right and left but is likely to miss out to Livramento.

Midfielders: Kobbie Mainoo, James Garner, Jordan Henderson

Garner did his chances no harm against Uruguay but may have left his run too late. Mainoo is neat and tidy but sometimes lacks physicality. Henderson’s best days are behind him, although he could still be included.

Forwards: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Harvey Barnes, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins, Danny Welbeck

Foden disappointed in a midfield role against Uruguay and was equally poor as a false-nine against Japan. The fact he has played in both positions before counts in his favour but he needs a strong end to the season with Manchester City. Palmer was at fault for Japan’s winner. Not only did he lose the ball in midfield, he then failed to track Kaoru Mitoma for the only goal. His languid style is unlikely to sit easy with Tuchel. 
Eze is another number 10 option but with Bellingham and Rogers seemingly fighting a two-man battle for that role, how many does the squad need? Eze’s ability to also come in off the left could be a factor.
Welbeck could fill the Henderson/Burn role of being a good role model while also contributing on the pitch but doesn’t seem to be in Tuchel’s plans despite a fine season for Brighton. Calvert-Lewin is the ‘chuck him on with 15 minutes to go’ option but it’s tough to see him making it. 

So, the 101 Great Goals predicted squad is:

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford

Defenders: Guehi, Konsa, Livramento, O’Reilly, James, Hall, Stones, Maguire, White

Midfielders: Rice, Anderson, Henderson, Bellingham, Rogers, Wharton

Forwards: Kane, Rashford, Saka, Gordon, Madueke, Foden, Eze, Solanke