Following England’s exploits at Euro 2020 a lot of their stars of the tournament haven’t been able to continue their form with their club sides.
And a number of other English stars like Arsenal man Emile Smith Rowe and Chelsea’s on loan midfielder Conor Gallagher have been making a case they should be starting instead.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane managed seven goals between themselves in the summer but have managed just two in the league so far this season.
Meanwhile in defence, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw look like a shadow of their Euro 2020 selves as they struggle for form and fitness.
Whilst it’s unlikely that Gareth Southgate will field a team without his captain and number one centre back, given the form they are in, he could easily have left them out and picked more deserving stars.
With that in mind, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the team the England manager should have been able play in World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino based on form.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford has barely put a foot wrong for England but kept just three clean sheets in nine games this season for Everton, while Aaron Ramsdale’s form cannot be ignored.
The ex-Bournemouth and Sheffield United shot-stopper is surprising everyone and has shown exactly why Mikel Arteta paid £30million for him.
A string of incredible saves, clean sheets and commanding performances have helped the Gunners climb to fifth in the table, two points behind Liverpool.
Defence
You can argue Southgate could name a totally fresh back-four on form this season – and three play for Chelsea.
After spending last season on loan in Ligue 1 with French outfit FC Lorient, academy product Trevoh Chalobah returned to the Blues this season and is now playing regularly, and with aplomb, under Thomas Tuchel.
The 22-year-old was been drafted in to play in the German’s back-three and has impressed having kept four clean sheets in five starts scoring twice.
Meanwhile wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell can’t stop scoring – or getting assists and keeping clean sheets.
Across the capital Ben White has impressed since joining Arsenal.
After a rocky start to the season where he missed four matches through COVID-19, the former Brighton centre-back has been immense for Arteta and has helped the club go on a nine-match unbeaten run in which he has kept six clean sheets.
Midfield
Unfortunately for Southgate, Declan Rice will not be able to feature in England’s upcoming matches against Albania and due to illness, but what a start to the season the West Ham man has had.
He’s now undoubtedly the first name on the teamsheet for the Three Lions.
Rice has guided the Hammers to third in the table after 11 league games and helped them qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, is on fire in Germany having produced a series of dazzling performances, goals, and assists. which have since seen him rumoured with a massive transfer to Liverpool.
Alongside the Bundesliga midfielder would be another Chelsea youth product, Gallagher, who is starring on loan at Crystal Palace.
The central midfielder is showcasing his talents at Selhurst Park with superb displays which have led to four goals and two assists in ten games.
Attack
After suffering horrific abuse following the final of Euro 2020, Saka has comeback better than ever with Arsenal.
The 20-year-old has featured in all but one game so far this season and has continued his exciting progression under Arteta that has seen him become one of the first names on the team sheet for both club and country.
Someone who has also impressed following Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League is Ivan Toney.
In 12 games across all competitions this season, the striker has been a menace for defences as his boyhood club Liverpool found out in a 3-3 draw in September.
He’s doing far better than current England captain Kane, who is well off the pace.
Another to have impressed from Arsenal is Smith Rowe who, having been given the No.10 shirt by Arteta this season, has lived up to the iconic number with outstanding creativity, goals and assists.
How England should have line up on form…
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