Gareth Southgate is expected to make a raft of changes for England’s friendly against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Saturday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Switzerland saw Conor Gallagher shine on his first start for England, while his Crystal Palace team-mates Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell got their first taste of senior international football.
Whether Gallagher and Guehi keep their spot in the starting XI remains to be seen, as Southgate has promised to utilise the entire squad in order to manage the load going into the final two months of the domestic campaign.
“We’ll make changes,” Southgate said. “We think that’s the right thing to do. We want to keep all of the squad involved. I think that has been a strength for us.
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“We’re also at a stage of the season where their load is heavy and we’ve got to make sure we try and navigate that in the best way possible.”
i looks at some of the names out to impress Southgate against Ivory Coast, with just two more squads to name and six Nations League matches to play before the England manager makes his picks for the World Cup, which starts in November.
Jude Bellingham
Gallagher has crashed the party, making England’s midfield selection even tougher, while Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson and the injured Kalvin Phillips have been fancied ahead of Bellingham in recent outings.
Nevertheless, Bellingham is viewed as England’s future in midfield, and after playing 10 minutes against Switzerland he will hope to start from the off against Ivory Coast.
As it stands, Rice is the near-certainty to start in England’s midfield. Bellingham will hope he can prove to Southgate that the future is now, and that he warrants a place in the XI over Phillips and Henderson.
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James Ward-Prowse
Arguably the most surprising omission from England’s Euro 2020 squad last year, Ward-Prowse is out to avoid a repeat.
“There’s such huge competition for places within the squad, which is a great thing, but equally it’s frustrating because there are so many players and so many more hurdles to get through,” the Southampton midfielder said.
“It’s up to me to make sure that I give myself the opportunity to make that squad. I don’t want to have that again so I’ll do everything I can to make sure I’m there.”
He was an unused substitute on Saturday night, but should play some part against Ivory Coast, and though often defined as a set-piece specialist, the 27-year-old will be eager to prove he has the all-round game to make Southgate’s final World Cup selection.
Ollie Watkins
Strikers who aren’t called Harry Kane know their role within the England set-up, and Watkins is among the latest batch to have learned how difficult the Tottenham forward is to displace. Barring an injury, it is a certainty captain Kane will start virtually every match at the World Cup, but his replacements must be ready.
With that in mind, now could well be Watkins’ chance to prove he is a viable back-up, with Kane expected to be rested.
Watkins replaced Kane as a substitute on Saturday night, but not until the 89th minute, and with Tammy Abraham pulling out injured, the Aston Villa striker will know the importance of taking his chances when they come.
Tyrone Mings
The Aston Villa defender addressed the media along with Southgate on Monday, which suggests he will start Tuesday night’s friendly.
With less than eight months to go before the World Cup starts, a partnership of Harry Maguire and John Stones looks the most likely for England, but the prospect of injuries – or a three at the back – means the chasing pack will all be intent on making the final cut.
Like Gallagher in midfield, Guehi has added to Southgate’s defensive options, while the growing calls for Fikayo Tomori to feature could make it even tougher as the World Cup draws closer.
Mings will want to be more than just a competitor for the back-up roles, however, as he prepares to win his 17th senior cap.
“It always feels like you’re on trial here, in a good way because of the talent and the players who are already here,” Mings said. “I think it’s a challenge that people thrive in and excited by.”
“Everybody wants to go to a World Cup. When there’s an expectation to do something or be something. The only thing you can go back to is to do what you’ve always done to get to that position. I know what my qualities are, and there’s players that have all different qualities. All I can do is work on what I’m good at and trust in that process.”
Conor Gallagher
Last but not least, the man who impressed on Saturday could well get another chance on Tuesday. Gallagher was England’s liveliest player and looked comfortable on the Wembley stage during his 61 minutes against Switzerland.
He was replaced by Declan Rice, who will reportedly captain England on Tuesday night, but there could be room for both – or more likely, Gallagher could come on in the second half.
Competition is fierce in midfield, but the Palace midfielder strengthened his prospects of making the World Cup squad at the weekend. Another solid showing should at least put him into Southgate’s Nations League plans in June, when England play four matches in 11 days.
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