Five uncapped players make top rated England squad as Maguire misses out
International football returns later this month with England in action against Switzerland and Cote d'Ivoire at Wembley before March draws to a close. There is obvious speculation on who will make Gareth Southgate's squad when the accouncement goes live later this month.
As such, we at WhoScored look at the England squad and potential XI based on their league rating this season of those to have made 10 or more appearances.
Goalkeepers
There will be little change in personnel for Gareth Southgate's goalkeepers in terms of WhoScored rating with Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope the best rated shotstoppers. However, while the trio may not change, the man to start between the sticks could. Pickford may be Engand number one, but with a rating of 6.54, he is the worst rated of the three.
Rather, Ramsdale would be the goalkeeper deserving of a starting spot in goal having garnered a WhoScored rating of 6.90, with Pope (6.71) the Arsenal star's deputy.
Defenders
Could Southgate elect to look a little further afield with his defender choices this week? With Harry Maguire out of form for Manchester United, there are those who are more deserving of a place in the squad at present. Fikayo Tomori (6.93) has previously earned international recognition, but the AC Milan centre-back is deserving of a more prominent place in the squad.
Forgotten man Reece Oxford (6.96) has been excelling for Bundesliga side Augsburg this term and is averging more interceptions per game (2.8) than any other player in Germany's top tier. Assessing his options in England, Trevoh Chalobah (7.01) is perhaps deserving of a place, not just in the squad, but the immediate XI based on WhoScored rating with Manchester City's John Stones (7.21) his partner.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.59) nails down the spot in place of Reece James (7.27), while at left-back; Kyle Walker-Peters (6.96) will perhaps feel he has done enough to deserve an England spot. With Ben Chilwell injured and Luke Shaw struggling to match his Euro 2020 performances, the Southampton full-back may believe this month is the best chance to earn a call up.
Midfielders
Like in goal, there is little in the way of change in personnel in central midfield for Gareth Southgate's England side. There is space for Mason Mount, James Ward-Prowse and Jordan Henderson in the squad, but the trio miss out on a place in the immediate XI should Southgate elect for a system with three central midfielders.
Conor Gallagher (7.26) is the best rated central midfielder and he'd be joined by Jude Bellingham (7.20) and Declan Rice (7.17) in the middle of the park. With an average age of 21, the future is certainly bright for England, particularly when you consider youngsters Emile Smith Rowe and Jacob Ramsey both miss out on a place in the WhoScored England squad.
Forwards
Leading the charge is England captain Harry Kane (7.29), but it's not so clear cut as some may believe. Kane has only recently upped his game following a poor start to the campaign with Brentford's Ivan Toney (7.28) running him close in the starting XI. Flanking the Tottenham man would be Phil Foden (7.26) and, interestingly, Jarrod Bowen (7.23).
The West Ham man has missed the last couple of games due to injury, but has been excellent when fit, scoring eight and providing an additional eight assists. Injury may hinder his chances of securing a spot in the England squad, yet his attacking performances suggest he deserves his shot for the Three Lions. Completing the forward options in this XI would be Roma hitman Tammy Abraham and Manchester City's Jack Grealish, who have earned respective WhoScored ratings of 7.22 and 7.14.
