4 key questions ahead of Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad announcement

Gareth Southgate is set to announce England’s World Cup squad on November 10.

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Ahead of the England squad being announced, there are a number of questions Gareth Southgate needs to answer.

101GreatGoals have picked out the four biggest questions for the England boss.

The right-back conundrum

Two months ago, England were falling over right-back options. However, injuries to Reece James and Kyle Walker has changed that.

James, if he goes to Qatar, is not expected to be fit until the knockout rounds at the earliest, whilst Kyle Walker will be lacking match sharpness if he is able to recover in time.

Given both players were able to also play at right-centre-back in a three, Southgate’s plans are expected to be altered for the tournament.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in dismal form this season, but he may well earn a place in Qatar simply due to injuries.

Ben Chilwell replacement

On the other flank, meanwhile, England currently have just one fit left-back in Luke Shaw as Ben Chilwell will miss the tournament.

Southgate has previously used Kieran Trippier at left-back, but given the injuries to James and Walker, he is likely to be required in his more natural spot.

This means Southgate will have to decide on another left-back to take to Qatar, with Ryan Sessegnon of Tottenham and Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace among the favourites to earn a place.

Does James Maddison go?

One of England’s biggest issues since the Euros has been a real lack of creativity.

The Three Lions have generally relied upon Mason Mount to create chances through the centre, but he has been in woeful form of late.

The Chelsea man has scored just two and assisted two in 12 league games this season, with those goal contributions only coming against Aston Villa and Wolves.

The obvious solution to this issue would be to bring along James Maddison. The 25-year-old has scored six and assisted four in 12 league ties this season despite playing in a struggling Leicester team.

However, Maddison has only ever made one appearance for England, which came all the way back in 2019.

Harry Kane back-up

Given Harry Kane will start most, if not all, of England’s games this winter when fit, Southgate is only expected to take one back-up striker to Qatar. But who will that be?

The main contenders are Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson.

Given Abraham has scored just three in 18 for Roma in 2022/23, he may be out of the picture.

Toney, meanwhile, has scored eight and assisted three in 14, whilst Wilson has netted six and assisted two in 10 for Newcastle.

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Josh Barker

Middlesbrough fan from the North East of England. @JoshBarker979 on Twitter.

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