England World Cup XI: Andros Townsend selects his Three Lions side for Qatar | OneFootball

Andros Townsend has picked the England XI he would like to see start at the 2022 World Cup.

Football’s biggest international tournament kicks off in two months’ time.

England go into the tournament in Qatar as one of the favourites.

The Three Lions have an abundance of talent all over the pitch. Gareth Southgate has many big calls to make.

But who should Southgate choose to start and which players should he leave out?

Townsend is still playing in the Premier League and comes up against England’s players on a consistent basis.

He was asked to name his England XI for the World Cup in an appearance on talkSPORT. View the team he would like to start below…

GK: Jordan Pickford

RWB: Reece James

CB: Kyle Walker

CB: Harry Maguire

CB: John Stones

LWB: Ben Chilwell

CM: Declan Rice

CM: Jude Bellingham

LW: Raheem Sterling

RW: Phil Foden

ST: Harry Kane

Townsend has made some big calls, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka among the absentees.

One of the most controversial selections Townsend made is the inclusion of Harry Maguire.

Maguire has lost his place at Man United after a run of poor form.

But Townsend believes he has to start – regardless of whether he is playing regularly for United or not.

“It is a player who I know has played well when he puts on an England shirt,” Townsend told talkSPORT.

“He is someone who has played for England on numerous occasions and that’s not to be underestimated.

“Match sharpness is obviously going to be a problem. With the centre-halves at Man United playing well, it may be difficult for him to get back in.

“But I’m sure Gareth will use these two games to get Harry a couple of games, get his sharpness up, and hopefully he gets back in the United team.

“They’ve got Europa League, League Cup… worst-case scenario, there are games Maguire can get 90 minutes and make sure he’s sharp for November.

“But whether he’s in the team or not, he is one million per cent a starter for England.”

England play their remaining two Nations League games in the coming days. They face Italy on Friday and take on Germany next Monday.

The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.