World Cup 2022: England's starting XI based on form this season | OneFootball

England’s 2022 World Cup campaign is set to kick off on Tuesday, November 21 against Iran, but who will be in their starting XI?

Gareth Southgate’s squad is due to be announced 11 days prior and it will be interesting to see whether both his 26-man squad and his first-choice line-up is selected on form or on reputation and what players have done for him in the past.

It is likely that it’s more the latter with Harry Maguire, in particular, being someone that will be praying Southgate focuses on his previous tournament performances rather than his last year of showings for both Manchester United and England.

We have decided to take the former approach, selecting England’s side based on their average ratings this season, with statistics being provided by the always excellent whoscored.com.

To keep things fair, players must have played at least five league games this season, and to be slightly aligned with Southgate’s way of thinking, a 3-5-2 formation has been settled on. So, here is England’s starting XI for the World Cup based on form in the 2022-23 season to date.

GK – Jordan Pickford – 7.13

The Everton stopper is certain to be No.1 at the World Cup, having been at the previous two tournaments. His form this season has been excellent, with just 12 goals conceded in his 13 league appearances, giving the Toffees the fourth-best defensive record.

RWB – Kieran Trippier – 7.56

Trippier has been another lieutenant of Southgate with all 37 of his caps being won since 2017. He has been brilliant as part of the Premier League’s meanest defence with Newcastle this season and has the joint-highest rating of any English player. A cert to start as things stand.

RCB – Reece James – 7.19

James has played just seven league games this season due to the knee injury that has jeopardized his World Cup hopes. He was in excellent form prior to this and looked to be assured of a spot in Southgate’s back five.

CB – James Tarkowski – 7.07

Signed by Everton on a free transfer following Burnley’s relegation, Tarkowski has been an integral part of Frank Lampard’s side. Despite his strong form, it is highly unlikely he will add to his two England caps this winter.

LCB – Ben Mee – 6.99

Tarkowski’s partner at Burnley, Mee has been in great form since joining Brentford last summer. However, the 33-year-old has never made an England squad, and this is likely to be the only England XI for which he is ever selected.

LWB – Solly March – 6.99

March is someone most readers might not even be aware is English given his European sounding name, but he is a former Under-21 international and a starting left-wing-back here. With Ben Chilwell possibly ruled out, could he best the most rogue selection since Theo Walcott in 2006?

CM – Declan Rice – 7.06

A cert to start, and the likely next England captain. Rice has continued his consistently strong form this season and will be absolutely crucial to the Three Lions’ chances of success in Qatar.

CM – Jude Bellingham – 7.56

Alongside Trippier, the form England player this season. Injury to Kalvin Phillips has made Bellingham the obvious selection in midfield – he should have been already. Aged just 19 and already captaining Borussia Dortmund, expect him to star and for “Hey Jude” to be a favourite of the travelling England fans.

AM – James Maddison – 7.30

The Leicester maverick seems to be the odd one out in Southgate’s thoughts, with just a solitary cap in 2019 to his name. This is despite his output and ratings being amongst the absolute best in the Premier League. Clamour for his inclusion will only grow in the next week.

FW – Phil Foden – 7.42

Foden has been in excellent form for Manchester City, becoming their second most important attacker behind Erling Haaland. These levels have not been replicated with England, more due to Southgate’s tactics than his obvious talent. He starts here, but will he be in Qatar?

FW – Harry Kane – 7.47

The captain, the talisman and England’s best and most important player. Kane is absolutely pivotal to any hopes of glory this winter. He top-scored in 2018 and his form this season suggests he is ready to retain his crown.

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