England manager, Gareth Southgate, has announced his 25 man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Many of the players who guided England to the Euro 2020 final are included once again. However, one surprise inclusion sees Leeds United striker, Patrick Bamford, recieve his first senior call up. Now that preparation for the World Cup is well underway, this announcement gives an insight as to who Southgate wants in his plans for Qatar 2022.
Here it is… your #ThreeLions squad for September! 👊 pic.twitter.com/wwjJEiVGz6
— England (@England) August 26, 2021
England Squad: Bamford, Lingard and Alexander-Arnold Get the Nod
Greenwood Doesn’t Make the Cut
In just over a weeks’ time, the International break will return. England will play Hungary (September 2), Andorra (September 5) and Poland (September 8) in qualifiers for the World Cup in Qatar. Southgate has opted for Patrick Bamford over Mason Greenwood in attack. Following a bright start to the Premier League, with two goals so far, Greenwood will have thought he was a contender for the squad. Bamford, who is yet to score this season for Leeds, still gives Southgate a different option up front. Liverpool’s right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, also makes the squad after missing the Euros through injury; he will be looking to make amends and compete with Kieran Trippier and Reece James at full-back.
England’s Euro 2020 Heroes Return
Despite the new inclusions, the squad has many of the players that gave England fans a summer to remember. Young stars, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Reece James return to the fray. Marcus Rashford misses out after undergoing shoulder surgery.
There is, of course, a return for the side’s more experienced players in the squad: Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Jordan Pickford. Despite much speculation throughout the transfer window over his Spurs future, Captain Harry Kane, is called up and will be more than ready to focus on his football. The 28 year-old striker recently confirmed that he will remain at Spurs for the season, thus ending speculation of a move to Manchester City. One player that did make the move to the blue half of Manchester, Jack Grealish, also recieved a call up.
In midfield, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice return to the national side, after forming a very successful partnership at the Euros. Jesse Lingard, who failed to make the cut in the summer after making the provisional squad, now looks to stake a claim in this England side.
In defence, Luke Shaw will feature again after becoming one of the revelations throughout the Euros. Conor Coady and Kieran Trippier also return after making the Euros squad. As for goalkeeping options, Sam Johnstone and Nick Pope provide cover to the number-one, Jordan Pickford. Arsenal’s new signing, Aaron Ramsdale misses out on the squad this time around. Boasting such a strong squad with a depth of talent, England will hope to secure qualification sooner, rather than later.
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