Jamie Carragher names his preferred 26-man England squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has picked his preferred 26-man England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is set to name his squad for the tournament on Thursday, 9 November.
England kick off their campaign in Group B alongside Iran, the United States, and Wales.
Carragher's ideal squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle United).
Pickford has been Southgate's preferred first-choice stopper since he was appointed manager in 2016.
He has earned 45 international caps, keeping 21 clean sheets, and impressed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the European Championships in 2021.
Full-backs:
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle).
There is no spot for Chelsea's Reece James, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Shaw is the only orthodox left-back that Carragher has chosen, with Trippier able to fill the role despite being a right-back.
Central defenders:
Ben White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham).
There is a lot of versatility in Carragher's defense, with White having played at right-back for Arsenal this season.
He has been superb in the role, making 18 appearances and helping the Gunners keep 10 clean sheets.
Walker can also fill in at centre-back as he has done on occasion for City and the Three Lions.
Midfielders:
Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), James Maddison (Leicester City).
There has been debate over whether Maddison makes the trip to Qatar, as Southgate omitted him from his latest UEFA Nations League squad.
The Foxes midfielder has been in fine form, bagging 13 appearances, scoring six goals, and contributing four assists.
Attackers:
Harry Kane (Tottenham), Tammy Abraham (AS Roma), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
Kane finished the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the top scorer with six goals and will likely captain England.
It will be intriguing to see which wingers line up alongside the Spurs frontman.
My @England squad for #WorldcupQatar2022 ๐ https://t.co/NLPDqLx9PM
City midfielder Phillips is eager to make England's FIFA World Cup squad
Phillips had surgery on his shoulder in September, jeopardizing his place in Southgate's England squad for the FIFA World Cup.
He arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Leeds United this past summer for ยฃ42 million but has only made three appearances from the bench across competitions.
Canโt wait to join back up with the lads and represent my country again ๐ฆ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ https://t.co/IIGLOJjrZW
The defensive midfielder impressed at the Euros last year, making seven appearances and contributing an assist.
He hopes to make Southgate's squad when it is announced on Thursday, saying (via BBC Sport):
"I have gone through a seven-week process of recovering... I'm very hopeful that I can be involved. We will have to wait and see."