The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just two months away, and the England squad announcement this week could give us a good idea of who could be heading to Qatar this November.
Whilst the UEFA Nations League this time around has been viewed as a bit of a write-off given how congested the football schedule is, England fans will be hopeful of some big performances this month to avoid relegation down to Group B, with the Three Lions currently sat bottom of their standings.
Indeed, World Cup preparation is arguably more important for England than big wins in the Nations League, and the recent squad announcement will give us a clear picture of who could be heading to Qatar, and for some players, impressing this month will be key to booking their spot on the plane to the Middle East.
With that being said, here are five players we believe have the biggest points to prove to Gareth Southgate and England supporters ahead of the international break, with some talented names still yet to fully win their spot ahead of the World Cup this winter.
Aaron Ramsdale
With Jordan Pickford out through injury, Aaron Ramsdale heads into England’s Nations League games as arguably Southgate’s no. 1 goalkeeper, with Dean Henderson and Nick Pope yet to feature that much for the Three Lions and the Arsenal star viewed by many as a more natural successor to the Everton keeper.
Ramsdale’s form this season for the Gunners has been solid, with the 24-year-old keeping two clean sheets and having impressive performances against the likes of Crystal Palace, Fulham and Aston Villa, and this international break could be a massive one for the Arsenal superstar.
Heading into Qatar, there’s a chance that Ramsdale could be England’s starting keeper if he impresses in these upcoming international fixtures, and after the youngster’s last match for the Three Lions, the former Sheffield United star will no doubt want to prove some critics wrong against the likes of Germany and Italy.
Eric Dier
If there was one player who is more than deserving of being named in England’s squad announcement this week, it’s Tottenham defender Eric Dier, who was somehow excluded from June’s selection despite an incredible season with the north London giants under Antonio Conte.
The Italian manager has reinvented Dier into a centre-back that has looked unfazed at all in the last few months, and for England, the former Sporting Lisbon star will be looking to impress Southgate to win a spot for Qatar in what will be the defender’s second World Cup for the Three Lions.
Jude Bellingham
It’s still quite astonishing that Jude Bellingham is still only 19-years-old, with the midfielder this season breaking the record for the most goals in the UEFA Champions League from an English teenager as well as the most appearances from the same category, yet despite all of this, it feels like we’re yet to see the best from the Borussia Dortmund star.
England’s midfield in the 2020 Euros was conservative yet effective with Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice, yet with the former hardly playing for new club Manchester City this season, this could allow Bellingham to start alongside the West Ham skipper in the middle of the park, especially with Jordan Henderson also out through injury.
A reported £100m target for Liverpool, Bellingham has the potential to become one of England’s greatest ever players, and a starring part in this international break could play a big role in the midfielder fulfilling his potential and bringing success to the Three Lions for many years to come.
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen was arguably the breakout English player of the Premier League last season as the West Ham winger bagged double digits in both goals and assists, and despite a poor start to the new campaign, the former Hull City attacker has retained his spot in Southgate’s squad.
With the likes of Jadon Sancho, Jack Harrison and Emile Smith Rowe all missing out this month on an England call-up, Bowen has some fierce competition to retain his place in the squad, and a big international break with some impressive performances will be a sure-fire way of keeping his Three Lions spot for Qatar.
Ivan Toney
After months of calls from fans and pundits, Ivan Toney has finally been selected by Southgate for the England squad, with the Brentford striker enjoying a fantastic start to the new season with the Bees as the 26-year-old currently sits on five goals in just six appearances.
The attacker had had one heck of a career from Newcastle United reject to Premier League superstar via every step of the EFL, and with Toney in scintillating form ahead of this month’s international fixtures, the Northampton-born attacker can take his reputation to a continental stage if he impresses against the likes of Germany and Italy.
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