Everton, Sheffield United, West Brom, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Wolves, Leeds and Tottenham players will feature in this article.
It’s time for England players to make themselves legends and cement their place in the history books.
From Tottenham to Arsenal back to Manchester United and Liverpool. Players of many highly-charged rivalries will unite tonight as England aim to win their first major trophy in 55 years.
For some of the Three Lions stars, they have tasted glory before, on the domestic stage, from winning Premier League titles to Champions League glory.
But for others, this could possibly be their first taste of silverware if England can become Euro 2020 champions by beating the aggressive and tactically astute Italian’s at Wembley.
For some of these players, given their talents and individual performances, it is slightly staggering that they are yet to lift any major honours during their careers.
But here are the players who can finally get over that dotted line:
Jordan Pickford – Everton’s shot-stopper won the Golden Glove at Euro 2020 with two games to spare. He is yet to concede from open play and has always showcased his best when donning his England colours.
A career that started in Sunderland, it’s been a rocky, yet worthwhile journey for the 27-year-old Stadium of Light graduate.
Aaron Ramsdale – The Sheffield United keeper suffered a nightmare campaign on the domestic scene last season, but can those nightmares turn into dreams tonight? Another player looking for his first major honour.
Sam Johnstone – Another keeper who suffered relegation from the Premier League. Johnstone has had mixed success at Wembley, winning and losing several playoff games. But this is a different beast altogether.
His career started at Manchester United, and he may not have played for his boyhood club, but he can certainly live his other dream with his country on Sunday night.
Harry Maguire – Even though the powerful centre-back is on Manchester United’s books, he is yet to taste team trophy success.
A standout performer for England at Euro 2020 this summer, he will be key in stopping Italy’s aggressive high line in trying to put the ball into the back of the net.
Tyrone Mings – The former mortgage advisor hasn’t come through the ranks like some of his teammates, but what a journey it has been for him.
He started the first two games before being benched. The closest Mings has come to a domestic trophy was losing the League Cup final two seasons ago with Villa, let’s hope for a different outcome this time around.
Conor Coady – The Wolves captain may not have featured during this tournament, but his leadership skills have been applauded off it – Player of the Tournament, according to England assistant, Steve Holland.
Ben White – The Brighton defender wasn’t initially selected in Southgate’s 26-man squad. But an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the door for the ball-playing centre-back.
Now, the former Leeds loanee will be hoping the first door to a trophy will open at Wembley.
Declan Rice – He has been an absolute rock in England’s midfield during this tournament seeing off players with trophy-laden careers, a la Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. But is it his time to taste success?
Jack Grealish – Mr Gamechanger and possibly the favourite amongst the supporters. Aston Villa’s expert ball-carrier will surely have a successful domestic career given his talents.
But he will have to play a crucial role if he is to put that Euro 2020 medal around his neck.
Kalvin Phillips – Just like his defensive partner in crime, Declan Rice, Leeds aptly dubbed ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ has been a sensation for his country. But is it finally time to bring it home?
Harry Kane – Probably the best striker in the world right now, Kane’s career has been quite incredible from the day Tim Sherwood decided to push him through the senior doors.
But despite all those individual awards, and many more that he will probably break in his career (Premier League and England’s highest-goal scorer), he is probably the most talented out of the bunch not to have won a trophy so far in his career.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – The back-up to Kane, Everton’s number nine produced the best season of his professional career during the recent campaign.
And now he will be hoping to produce the best footballing night of his career.
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