Harry Maguire fouls but stays on the plane for Gareth Southgate; Trent Alexander-Arnold misses – England’s ladder to the World Cup | Football news
Harry Maguire has the backing of Gareth Southgate despite his foul performance against Germany, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is slipping. The latest England World Cup standings are here!
The Three Lions contested their final schedule before the tournament on Monday night, a thrilling 3-3 draw with Germany in the Nations League at Wembley.
It was another chance for Southgate’s players to bolster their claim of a World Cup spot following a 0-1 loss to Italy at the San Siro on Friday, but who raised their prospects in two games? fighting and who is sliding down the stairs?
Here, we look at players who are already on the plane, those sitting in the departure lounge with their boarding passes in hand, and those who are hopping taxis to the airport and hoping for the best.
Remember, we’ll be updating our ladder weekly from now on until Southgate fills in its roster on October 20 before the tournament start date on November 20.
Dier, Shaw climbed; Maguire clings on
Harry Kane still at the top of the ladder, with Declan Rice (2nd), Jordan Pickford (Tuesday) and Raheem Sterling (4th) takes three places below him, but there is a change below with Jude Bellingham climbing four places to fifth after his stellar performances against Italy and Germany.
Bellingham looks set to partner Rice in the absence of Kalvin Phillips, who was struggling during his time at Manchester City even before his injury. Borussia Dortmund youth team leaps forward Reece James (Friday), Phil Foden (Saturday), Mason Mount (Friday), Bukayo Saka (Friday) and John Stones (10th) in the ladder.
However, the biggest motivation is Eric Dier (11th) and Luke Shaw (12th) who climbed 10th and 16th respectively when he returned to the team and seized his chance.
Suddenly, they have certain options for Qatar and most likely Southgate’s starting line-up.
Southgate will feel his faith in Dier and Shaw has been vindicated but that’s a different story for Harry Maguire. The 24-year-old remains an unpopular choice with supporters due to his poor form for club and country, but Southgate’s faith is unwavering.
Even after his poor performance at Wembley on Monday night, when he was held responsible for Germany’s opening goal and partly to blame for their second, Southgate came out and support him, a clear sign that he still has a seat on the plane to Qatar – anger, however, can lead to many supporters.
Pope missed the opportunity; Rashford climbing
From those on the plane to those anxiously waiting in the departure lounge.
Jack Grealish (14), Jordan Henderson (15th), Kyle Walker (The 16th), Kieran Trippier (Day 17) and Ben Chilwell (18) All will confidently get their place on the plane despite their short game time with Italy and Germany.
Phillips (19) hopes to be there too, provided he can win the race to get fit after shoulder surgery, but the goalkeeping debate remains interesting. Nick Pope (The 20th) has moved up Aaron Ramsdale (21st) in our ladder thanks to starting both games, but his performance shows Pickford has little reason to worry about the No.
Pope had a bad evening against Germany, his handling errors let Kai Havertz score their late equalizer, and there were plenty of moments in two games that showed he was unfit to play from the side. after.
Ramsdale will be hoping to usurp Pope in the next few weeks with Arsenal, and he’s not the only one hoping to catch Southgate’s eye with his club.
Conor Coady (22) will hope to cement his position as the next central defender in line, while Tammy Abraham (23) will feel confident keeping his place in the 26th round against Ivan Toney, who was out of the squad against Italy and didn’t come off the bench against Germany.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford (25) might just increase his prospects without kicking the ball.
The 24-year-old, who was unavailable for the matches against Italy and Germany due to a muscle injury, has been outstanding for Manchester United recently and can provide firepower and versatility in a squad that is struggling because target. That helps, of course, for him to be popular with Southgate as well.
Jarrod Bowen currently clings to his place in the top 26 of the ladder right now, but the West Ham man will need to find form for his club if he is to stay there. Rashford looks like a better option.
Trent seems to have dropped out
It seems more and more likely Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the option for Qatar.
The Liverpool right-back fell seven places up the ladder to 27th, not coming off the bench against Italy and not even playing against Germany.
James seems to be at right-back, having started both games, while Southgate clearly places more faith in Walker and Trippier than Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold’s prospects look even more bleak as Southgate is placed in a back three, instead of a back four. The 23-year-old doesn’t have the versatility of Walker and Trippier, who can play in different positions in the England defence.
It all creates a grim picture for Alexander-Arnold.
It won’t be a popular decision among supporters – understandably so, with all of his comments being derogatory – but the latest international break just further reinforces doubts that Southgate may choose to ignore him when he makes the choice for Qatar.