James Maddison of Leicester City and Ben White of Arsenal have both been selected for the 26-man England World Cup squad. On Thursday afternoon, Gareth Southgate unveiled his squad for the tournament in Qatar in 2022, and Maddison received a call-up due to his outstanding performance this year for Leicester.
The playmaker, who has contributed six goals and four assists in 12 top-flight appearances for the Foxes this season, will now look to add to his one England cap this summer. In the meantime, Reece James is out due to injury, and Arsenal defender White has been added after securing the right-back position for the Premier League leaders.
With Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope serving as backups and Jordan Pickford representing England at another big competition, there are no shocks in the goalkeeping ranks. Due to Pickford’s injury, Dean Henderson played in the September games.
Now that Pickford is healthy again, Kyle Walker has taken Dean Henderson’s place in the team. The right-back for Manchester City overcame groyne surgery in time to be called up to Southgate’s team, where he will face off against Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, and White for starting spots on the right.
Despite his problems for Man United, Harry Maguire is, as predicted, included, and the rest of Southgate’s alternatives in the centre of defence are John Stones, Eric Dier, and Conor Coady. Ben Chilwell’s injury leaves Luke Shaw as England’s sole pure left-back, with Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guehi, Tyrone Mings, and Fikayo Tomori all failing to make the cut.
England to begin their campaign on 21st November
Along with Walker, another member of Man City who overcame surgery to earn a ticket is Kalvin Phillips, who plans to team up with Declan Rice beginning with Euro 2020.
Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher are other alternatives for the Three Lions in the middle of the field, but Jude Bellingham will look to establish himself as a regular starter for his nation in Qatar.
Maddison is joined by Mason Mount, but James Ward-Prowse is still at home, and Callum Wilson has won the competition for Harry Kane’s replacement.
Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney failed to gain spots on Southgate’s World Cup roster, but Marcus Rashford managed to resurrect his Man United career and force his way back in.
Jadon Sancho and Jarrod Bowen were both left at home, leaving Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden as Southgate’s wide options.
Up to 13 members of Southgate’s team will be competing in their first World Cup, and Wilson, Gallagher, and Maddison will be participating in their first big international competition at the 2022 World Cup.
For England, who will play Iran, Wales, and the USA in Group B and open play on November 21 against the former, Sterling and Henderson will be playing in their third World Cup.
England 2022 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton, loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
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