Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

England's winners and losers from final weekend before World Cup squad announced

In just three days' time, Gareth Southgate will announce his 26-player squad for this year's World Cup in Qatar.

We all know some names have already booked their seat on the plane (injury permitting), but what about those fringe players who are on the periphery of Southgate's mind? And are England's regulars in good form heading into the controversial tournament?

With just one Premier League matchday to go before the Three Lions take on Iran in Doha on November 21, Mirror Football's finest reporters take a look at those England stars who impressed and flopped during the penultimate round of Premier League fixtures.

Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal

By John Cross

Reece James - Looked sharp as he sadly watched from the stands. Injured but hopeful that he will get the call. Big player.

Mason Mount - In mixed form, hooked by Chelsea as he struggles to find consistency. Nailed-on for the squad, less so to start.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Has given himself a real chance to make the 26. Is playing regularly, a Southgate favourite and is playing well.

Connor Gallagher - A substitute against Arsenal and is struggling to get regular starts and to stake his claim. Losing his battle.

Raheem Sterling - This move is not working out so far. Is not getting enough of the ball or making an impact. But always delivers for England.

Aaron Ramsdale - Looks in good form. Commanding, making good saves but he now looks to be England's third keeper.

Ben White - Is playing so well and is so versatile. Right back, right centre half or right of a three. Must be on the plane.

Bukayo Saka - England's player of the year and is playing so well. He is driving Arsenal's unlikely title challenge.

Bukayo Saka and Ben White will be confident of making England's World Cup squad (PA)

Who do you think should make England's squad for the World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

By Tom Blow

Marc Guehi - Couldn't have done much about Said Benrahma's goal and defended well. The 22-year-old captained Palace and will be unlucky to be rejected by Southgate.

Tyrick Mitchell - Will also be confident of making the squad following Chilwell's injury. It's difficult to fault the 23-year-old.

Eberechi Eze - Fluffed a chance early on but is a great player and it's wonderful to see him back in action after an Achilles injury. Created Palace's equaliser by winning the ball high up and has a decent chance of being Southgate's wildcard pick.

Sam Johnstone - Not going to be selected sat on Palace's bench. Was part of the Euro 2020 squad but will only travel to Qatar if other goalkeepers are ruled out.

Everton 0-2 Leicester

By Chris McKenna

Jordan Pickford - Has been exceptional this season and, despite pressure from Ramsdale and Nick Pope, has constantly shown why he is still No 1. Made some good saves against Leicester

Conor Coady - Has helped improved Everton defence and brought some leadership. A good option for the squad, if not a starter.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Only scored once since returning from injury and hobbled off on the hour mark against Leicester. Now unlikely to get the call.

James Maddison - What more does he have to do? Two assists against Everton, ran the game at Goodison Park. Hasn’t been picked by Southgate since 2019 but that has to change this week.

James Maddison should play at the World Cup (Getty Images)

Leeds 4-3 Bournemouth

By Tom Blow

Jack Harrison - A shock selection seems unlikely after he was hooked off at half-time with Leeds 2-1 down.

Patrick Bamford - Was injured again on Saturday and has not proved his fitness in time to make the squad.

Marcus Tavernier - Scored and set up Bournemouth's other two goals to hit the headlines but won't feature in Qatar.

Dominic Solanke - Scored again on Saturday and could be in the frame for a surprise call-up if injuries emerge next weekend.

Southampton 1-4 Newcastle

By Alex Smith

James Ward-Prowse - Can’t show his best attributes in a poor side. Set pieces weren’t up to his usual high standards.

Nick Pope - Dropped an early cross and was powerless to save the consolation goal. A quiet day against a toothless Southampton attack.

Kieran Trippier - Nervous moments when he required treatment on his hamstring but continued. Otherwise flawless on right flank.

Callum Wilson - Taken off at half-time after suffering the effects of his illness in the week. Involved in the first goal but didn’t look his sharpest.

Kieran Trippier felt his hamstring on Sunday but was OK to continue (Getty Images)

Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool

By Neil McLeman

Eric Dier - Part of England’s back three in the last match against Germany, his ill-timed blunder to set up Mohamed Salah for his second goal.

Harry Kane - Lethal finish for his 11th Premier League goal of the season. Two more matches to survive before Qatar.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Targeted by Spurs down the Liverpool right. Could have conceded first-half penalty for push on Ryan Sessegnon.

Joe Gomez - Dropped after his early gaffe against Leeds for Napoli win and and yesterday. Came on after 87 minutes to shore up defence.

Jordan Henderson - The Reds skipper came on for the final 16 minutes after playing 30 minutes against Leeds following his kick to the knee at Ajax.

Harvey Elliott - Busy display down the right but the England U21 midfielder would be a real World Cup wildcard. Replaced by Henderson.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was tormented by Ryan Sessegnon on Sunday (Tottenham Hotspur FC/Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Brentford

By Mike Walters

Dean Henderson - No major issues with form or fitness, but he was incensed to be booked and concede a hugely contentious penalty which provided Brentford's opening goal.

Ivan Toney - Served a one-match ban for collecting five yellow cards. Not going to catch Southgate's eye in the sin bin.

Dean Henderson is set to miss out on a World Cup spot (Getty Images)

Wolves 2-3 Brighton

By Tom Blow

Lewis Dunk - Conceded a penalty but remains a solid and experienced campaigner. Has a very slim chance of adding to his one England cap in Qatar.

Levi Colwill - Left on the bench and is not in the race to replace the injured Ben Chilwell at left-back.

Adam Lallana - Made a good start to the season and scored on Saturday but won't be in Southgate's 26-player squad.

Danny Welbeck - Rumoured to be on the periphery of the squad but hasn't played for England since 2018 and will struggle to get ahead of Toney and others.

Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United

By Tom Blow

Jacob Ramsey - Scored and provided an assist in a timely performance. Probably too much for him to do at this late stage to enter Southgate's consciousness.

Ollie Watkins - Picked up an assist and remains a decent option for Southgate. Could make the squad if other forwards are ruled out.

Tyrone Mings - Kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet and may have persuaded Southgate to give him the nod. Did well for England at Euro 2020.

Danny Ings - Was a late substitute and that won't be enough for him to make the squad. Seems unlikely he'll be on the plane to Qatar.

Harry Maguire - Left on the bench in favour of Victor Lindelof. Now fourth-choice centre-back at Manchester United and shouldn't make the squad but will, as Southgate trusts him.

Harry Maguire was left on the bench against Aston Villa (Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford - Struggled to make an impact on the wing and will be disappointed considering the timing of the display but should still make the squad.

Luke Shaw - Scored a deflected goal and must make the squad after Chilwell's injury. Would be a huge blow for Southgate if he's unavailable for the tournament.

Jadon Sancho - Missed another game through injury and it's hard to imagine him being involved in Qatar. Needs to get his back on track sooner rather than later.

Manchester City 2-1 Fulham

By Simon Mullock

Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips - Both are winning their battle to be fit for the World Cup. Phillips will be in City’s squad for the Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea on Wednesday after undergoing a shoulder operation. And Walker is also on the road to recovery after surgery to repair a groin problem.

Guardiola confirmed: "Kalvin is feeling really, really better. He trained with us yesterday for the second day, full session, full contact and will be involved next week for the Chelsea game. Maybe on the bench but he will be there. And Kyle, too, is feeling much better. He had his surgery after Kalvin so maybe not so far ahead as Kalvin, but he is feeling fine."

Southgate was at the Etihad to watch Phil Foden, John Stones and Jack Grealish all play a part in City's 2-1 win against Fulham on Saturday.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.