From Shaw to Wilson: the winners and losers of Gareth Southgate’s first England squad post-World Cup

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England manager Gareth Southgate has named his first 23-man squad following the World Cup campaign.

The Three Lions finished fourth in Russia with performances which captivated the nation and are expected to draw big crowds for their UEFA Nations League match against Spain and friendly with Switzerland.

Following the exciting World Cup, Southgate has largely stuck to his guns, making just five changes from the 23-man squad which travelled to Russia.

As a result, some of the hot contenders for England’s future have been included to face Spain and Switzerland while others will once again be watching from home – or holiday destinations – during the international break.

But who are the major winners and losers from Southgate’s first post-World Cup squad?

Winner: Luke Shaw

After risks of fading into obscurity at Manchester United, Luke Shaw has started the new Premier League season well – and has been rewarded for it.

The left-back has managed to change the mind of United manager Jose Mourinho, starting all three of the club’s Premier League matches albeit with little other option.

Regardless, the 23-year-old has shown his capabilities to Mourinho, scoring in United’s season opener against Leicester and proving to be one of their better players in what has ultimately been a disappointing start.

And this has not gone unnoticed by Southgate, who has given Shaw his first England call-up since March 2017, replacing Ashley Young as one of the two left-backs in the squad alongside Danny Rose.

Given Rose has played just once so far this season for Tottenham Hotspur, Shaw may also find himself the starting left-back against Spain at Wembley on September 8.

Losers: Ryan Bertrand and Ben Chilwell

While Shaw is deserving of his place in the current England squad, both Ben Chilwell and Ryan Bertrand will be hurt they missed out behind Rose.

As part of Claude Puel’s Leicester side with English influence, Chilwell has created four chances for his team-mates in the Premier League and completed five of his 11 attempted take-ons in his three appearances.

Defensively, the 21-year-old has won six aerial duels as well as six tackles and made nine clearances to help the Foxes gather six points from their opening three games.

While Chilwell has years to come for his England chance, Bertrand’s may be slipping away as Southgate undoubtedly looks to younger talent.

Despite his ageless face, Bertrand is now 29 and will be unlikely to replace 28-year-old Rose should be eventually fall out of favour with England.

Winner: Alex McCarthy

With Nick Pope out injured, there was a space in the England squad for a goalkeeper alongside Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland.

And after a good start to the season with Southampton, Alex McCarthy has been rewarded with another chance to get his first England cap.

The 28-year-old has been called up for England twice previously, both coming under Sam Allardyce, but was an unused substitute.

While the Southampton goalkeeper will be unlikely to play, given the form of Pickford and trust in Butland, for McCarthy to once again be included around the England set-up it could bring promise for the future.

Loser: Joe Hart

McCarthy’s inclusion in the squad surely all-but ends the England career of Joe Hart.

Hart had once been the Three Lions’ number one goalkeeper but after losing his space at Manchester City, the 31-year-old has had a torrid time at Torino and West Ham United.

This resulted in him missing out on this summer’s World Cup, with Southgate opting for Pope as the third-choice goalkeeper and relaying his faith in Pickford as number one.

Now at the current No.1 at Burnley – seemingly a guaranteed path into the England team – Hart has conceded seven goals in his last two games despite keeping a clean sheet in each of his first three.

Winner: Joe Gomez

Had things gone right for Joe Gomez at the end of last season, the defender would have played in a Champions League final and been part of the England squad to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

But, unfortunately for the 21-year-old, an ankle injury and subsequent surgery saw him miss both. However, Gomez has not allowed that to get the better of him, starting this season off with Liverpool in brilliant fashion.

The defender has started in each of Liverpool’s three games so far, in which he has helped keep three clean sheets, as they currently sit top of the Premier League (albeit on goal difference and with 35 games remaining).

Gomez has made more clearances than any other Liverpool player with 13 and has also won six tackles, made one block, three interceptions and been successful in nine aerial duels

As a result, Gomez finds himself back in the England squad for the upcoming international break, purely on merit alone.

Though Gary Cahill has all-but retired, the Chelsea man would have likely lost his place to Gomez anyway given his downturn in playing time for both club and country.

Loser: Teenage talent

Though Southgate had hinted in the build-up to his squad announcement that it would be too soon for some of England’s bright teenagers to be given a chance, the better options may still feel hard done by at missing out.

The likes of Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho, Ryan Sessegnon and Phil Foden have all been mentioned as potential world beaters for England’s senior teams given their successes at youth level.

And while they would certainly not have been starters were they picked, even a squad position for someone like Mount, who has done well on loan at Derby County this season, would have been an invaluable experience for his growth.

Germany – a model England have cited as one they are looking to emulate – have included 19-year-old Kai Havertz in their most recent squad, for example.

Whilst the Bayer Leverkusen teenager is not expected to be handed any meaningful minutes, the inclusion of at least one bright talent excites the supporters as well as reminds the more senior players that their position is constantly under threat.

Instead, Southgate has opted to include the more experienced Adam Lallana, a player that would have been included in the World Cup squad had it not been for injury and a lack of match fitness.

Winners: Martin O’Neill and the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill must have breathed a sigh of relief when Southgate announced his England squad for the upcoming friendlies, with Declan Rice nowhere to be seen.

In the build-up to the announcement, there had been talks on whether Rice would be included given his omission from Ireland’s current squad in order to consider his international future.

Despite having been born in England, making him eligible for the Three Lions, Rice has represented Ireland on three occasions – all in friendlies.

As a result, he would still have been able to switch allegiances to England, though his eligibility for inclusion in the current squad is unclear.

Had he been allowed, and called up, Rice could have potentially been locked down to England by even a 10-second appearance in the UEFA Nations League match against Spain, thus making him ineligible for the Republic of Ireland.

But now, Rice’s decision has been delayed, giving O’Neill hope of the defender choosing the Boys in Green.

Loser: Callum Wilson

Spare a thought for Callum Wilson this September. The Bournemouth striker must be wondering what he has to do to earn a senior England call-up.

Overcoming injury problems, Wilson has started the Premier League season well, scoring twice and recording one assist in his three appearances so far.

And when Jamie Vardy all-but-announced his retirement from international football to focus on his club career and allowing other players opportunities, Wilson would have undoubtedly been rubbing his hands together at a potential call-up.

But instead, Southgate opted for Welbeck as one of three forwards, while giving Vardy’s spot from the World Cup squad to an extra midfielder in Adam Lallana.

The post From Shaw to Wilson: the winners and losers of Gareth Southgate’s first England squad post-World Cup appeared first on Squawka News.



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