The Football Complainer Returns: My England World Cup Squad

MY ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD

So, after four years away, The Football Complainer is back! It was longer than planned, but after recent events in my life, I decided to do more things with my life, and returning to complaining about football is one of them- Well, I never stopped, I just didn't do it in this medium! To mark my return, here is who I would name in the England squad for the World Cup. No doubt everyone will disagree but oh well.

GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford (Everton)

My first choice keeper is Pickford, who has looked strong in recent friendlies, and has impressed playing for clubs with struggling defences. For me, the best English keeper right now, he has to take the Number 1 shirt.

GOALKEEPER: Jack Butland (Stoke City)

I’ve been a long time admirer of Butland, who finally looks like he’s over the injury problems that caused him to miss Euro 2016. Apart from that howling error against Leicester recently, he has impressed in a struggling Stoke side and will offer strong competition to Pickford.

GOALKEEPER: Nick Pope (Burnley)

I first encountered Nick Pope as a 21 year old youngster on loan at York City, keeping 16 clean sheets in 24 League Two appearances. Then he looked a bright young talent, but I didn’t expect him to make such an impact in his first Premier League season. For me, he has to go ahead of Joe Hart as No 3 keeper.

DEFENDER: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

One of the first names on the team sheet, Walker’s impressive turn in the back 3 gives Southgate another option as well as his role as a wing back. A player I’ve admired for years, I was worried the move to Eastlands might derail his progress, but if anything, he’s got even better.

DEFENDER: Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur)

Walker’s departure from Spurs has really let Trippier develop, and he’s now breathing down his former teammates place, although they may both end up in the starting XI. His form this season sees him get the role for me just ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is pushing Walker and Trippier for a place on the plane.

DEFENDER: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)

Southampton may have been poor this season, but Ryan Bertrand has continued to show why he is rated so highly, and is being courted by Top 6 clubs. A consistent presence on the left flank, he gets the nod over Danny Rose for me as Rose has not played regularly for Spurs this season.

DEFENDER: Ashley Young (Manchester United)

I thought his international career was long finished, but over the last few seasons Young has re-invented himself and despite others such as Rose probably being a better player, I would take Young with Bertrand, partially down to his versatility as he can offer options further up the flanks on both the right and left.

DEFENDER: John Stones (Manchester City)

He might have lost his place in the City starting line up, but I think he’ll still be in the England XI. He’s still young, but under Pep Guardiola he’s starting to look more like the player who was rated so highly as a youngster.

DEFENDER: Harry Maguire (Leicester City)

A player who I have liked for a while mainly thanks to Football Manager, moving to Leicester has been a good move for Maguire after impressing at Hull. Playing regularly has helped his development and if he has a good World Cup, I could see him being on the move again soon in search of European Football.

DEFENDER: Phil Jones (Manchester United)

Probably done enough to justify his place on the plane, While Jones is still a touch error prone, he has mostly had a good season for Man United. Now playing regularly as a centre back, instead of moving about all over the place, and has allowed him to settle down and establish himself.

DEFENDER: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

This place would have been taken by Joe Gomez, but his injury has ruled him out. So even though Southgate has public stated he doesn’t think he can play in his preferred back 3, I’m picking Smalling due to his experience and recent good form for United. I feel it is currently just too soon for the likes of Alfie Mawson, James Tarkowski and Jamaal Lascelles, but they will hopefully get their chance soon.

MIDFIELDER: Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur)

Eric Dier is a player I’ve long liked for England, and his ability to play in midfield and defence will only work in his favour. While I think he’ll start in midfield, he may well be best suited to being in the middle of a back three which could easily switch into a back four by him moving into an anchorman midfield role, and the wing backs moving back to more traditional full back positions.

MIDFIELDER: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

He had a period earlier in the season where he didn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders, but Dele looks like he’s back to his best form just at the right time for England. If he can keep his infamous temperament in check, he could just be one of the stars of this World Cup.

MIDFIELDER: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Not exactly a player I’m overly keen on, but I feel as captain of a side who have reached the Champions League final, he can’t be ignored. He isn’t flashy, but gets a job done and seems to be a favourite of Gareth Southgate’s, and may well be given the captaincy.

MIDFIELDER: Fabian Delph (Manchester City)

Another player who gets a reprieve due to a Liverpool injury, I’ve only included Delph after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was ruled out. It isn’t exactly a straight swap, but Delph allows more defensive cover in the middle, and he has shown at times during the season with Man City, offers another option at left back should the need arise.

MIDFIELDER: Adam Lallana (Liverpool)

He’s been injured for most of the season, but Lallana is a class player when fit, and the unfortunate injury to the Ox may give him a perfect opportunity to take his Liverpool teammates place in the starting XI. Able to play in the middle or in a more attacking role, he could function well as a starter or substitute.

MIDFIELDER: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

One of the greatest enigmas in the England side, if Jack Wilshere was guaranteed to be fully fit and at his best, he would be guaranteed starter in the side. I’ve selected him as he’s proven his worth in the Arsenal side this season, but doubts over his fitness remain and he may be distracted by talks over his future.

MIDFIELDER: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

Until this season, I wasn’t a fan of Lingard, and I perceived him as a flashy player with no end product. However, he has flourished this season and proven why he is rated so highly. A good record in big games helps his cause, and I think he would be an excellent option to bring off the bench in Russia.

FORWARD: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Do I really have to justify this? He was poor at Euro 2016, but he has matured since then and his goal record for Spurs speaks for itself. He has come in for some stick recently over claiming a goal, but he is a striker and it’s only natural he wants as many of them as possible. Either way, I just hope this doesn’t affect his confidence, but knowing our fans and press, it is a small worry.

FORWARD: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

He isn’t quite at his 2016 form, but Vardy has proven this season he is a top striker and not just a one season wonder. An able back up to Kane, He offers an important Plan B if chasing the game and always looks like he has a goal in him. I reckon he’ll be hungry to impress, as at his age, this will probably be his only chance to play at a World Cup.

FORWARD: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

His form this season should earn him a place in the starting XI, and hopefully he finally shows his potential on the international stage. He is a much more mature player now, and should banish any lingering memories from Euro 2016, where he was poor and seemed overawed at international level.

FORWARD: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

You can’t have missed all the hype over Rashford over the last few years, and while he has been inconsistent, it can only be expected of one so young. Whether he starts, or is used as a substitute, he remains an exceptional talent but needs to be nurtured correctly by club and country (good luck with that considering what the England press are like)!

FORWARD: Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)

Welbeck, despite his constant injuries and lack of playing time at Arsenal, has a good record at international level, and gets his place on the plane for that reason, providing of course he isn’t injured. His ability to play out wide as well offers an alternative option, and I believe he is a better choice than the likes of the permanently injured Danny Sturridge.

NOTICEABLE ABSENTEES

Joe Hart- Had a poor season for West Ham, looks short on confidence.

Fraser Forster- A player I like, but just seems to have lost form completely.

Tom Heaton- A good keeper, but been injured all season.

James Tarkowski- Had a good season, but not experienced enough.

Gary Cahill- Not played enough for Chelsea, think he’s had his time at International Level.

Michael Keane- Had a poor season at Everton, will hopefully find his way back soon.

Alfie Mawson- Similar to Tarkowski, one for the future but not ready yet.

Jamaal Lascelles- Impressed at Newcastle, should get a chance soon.

Trent Alexander-Arnold- Classy player, but yet to be capped by England so maybe next time

Danny Rose- Hasn’t played enough for Spurs.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek- Popular choice with the press, just not ready in my opinion

James Milner- Personally I’d take him, but he’s retired from international duty.

Jake Livermore- Seems to be a favourite of Southgate, but not for me.

Jonjo Shelvey- Would be an interesting choice, but temperament issues get in the way.

Lewis Cook- Maybe in four years.

Ross Barkley- A player I rate very highly, but Chelsea was the wrong move for him.

Theo Walcott- Has looked better since moving to Everton, but there are better options now.

Andros Townsend- Too much of a risk.

Danny Sturridge- If he was fully fit he’d be on the plane, but not right now.

Andy Carroll- Injured too often, and not enough goals.

Jermain Defoe- Age seems to have finally caught up with him.

Peter Crouch- Has a good international record but has had his day.

Glenn Murray- Had a good season at Brighton, but do we really want to take an uncapped 34 year old?