Looking back to 2018: how the England squad has changed under Gareth Southgate

Despite suffering defeat at the hands of Croatia at the semi-final stage, England fans had cause for pride and optimism after the 2018 World Cup. This was a young side with an average age of 25 whose star players were yet to reach their peak, and a manager in Gareth Southgate whose popularity had soared. It seemed certain that this squad would go on to challenge for other silverware at the European Championships two years later.

However, while the Three Lions will arrive at the postponed tournament in 2021 among the favourites, the personnel have seen a drastic overhaul. The recent international period offered a rare opportunity for England to play three consecutive matches for the first time since their adventure in Russia, and Southgate’s selections have drawn criticism and calls for fresh blood. What happened to the players that came so close in Moscow, and will we see them at next year’s competition? Let us reminisce – apologise if the memories are still too painful for some…

Jordan Pickford

Pickford’s penalty save against Colombia earned the Three Lions their first shootout success in 22 years and made the Everton shot-stopper an instant hero. The subsequent 2-0 win against Sweden saw him become the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet for England in a World Cup match.

Unfortunately, a poor record last season has led to calls for him to be dropped for Nick Pope. Matters were not helped as he recklessly conceded a (admittedly soft) penalty against Denmark on Wednesday night. Although so far Southgate has kept faith in Pickford, largely due to his superior passing ability, the situation is not the same at club level. Everton moved to sign Robin Olsen on the last day of the transfer window and many suspect it was not to act as deputy. A lack of game time could sway Southgate’s decision in favour of Pope, who preserved 15 clean sheets in the Premier League in 2019/20 to Pickford’s nine.

Kieran Trippier

Will any England fan forget that free kick against Croatia? Trippier’s performances in Russia earned him a place in the team of the tournament and, although his club form stalled in the following campaign, he still reached the Champions League final before a move to Atletico seemingly breathed new life into his career.

However, as for many of England’s talented right backs, it is difficult to displace Trent Alexander-Arnold when the 22-year-old is playing so well. Southgate has been keen to accommodate Tripper by fielding him as a left wing-back in Ben Chilwell’s absence, but this is unlikely to be a long-term solution, particularly if the incumbent flourishes at Chelsea following a summer switch. The lack of left-footed attackers at Southgate’s disposal means that the forward stationed on the left flank will almost always cut inside; with another right-footer in Trippier doing the same, England would lack natural width.

Kyle Walker

A similar situation to Trippier in that the Manchester City defender is also a right back in Alexander-Arnold’s shadow. As such, Southgate has omitted the 30-year-old from nine of his last 11 match day squads.

That said, he operated in a back three at the World Cup and resumed the role for the recent Nations League matches against Belgium and Denmark. Should Southgate persist with this system, it would appear Walker would be the natural choice there. He is unlikely to start in a back four, though.

John Stones

Walker’s teammate at City was lauded for his ability to play out from the back under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage two years ago. Stones came into the World Cup as a certain starter after his club’s record-breaking Premier League triumph, during which the vast majority of his absences were only due to injury. Fielding him alongside Walker made sense too, while an unlikely first-half brace against Panama in the group stage did nothing to harm his reputation.

It would be fair to comment that his standing has not reached new heights since, though. Stones was in and out of the City squad last season, making just 16 league appearances, and has only played in one of their three Premier League games this term despite the recent departures of Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi. Guardiola has lost belief and it seems Southgate has too. Joe Gomez and Tyrone Mings have been given the nod in defence lately. Conor Coady, who scored on his debut against Wales last week and played all 90 minutes against Denmark, is comfortable in the centre of a back three and having another “leader” in the form of Wolves’ club captain may appeal to Southgate.

Harry Maguire

Like Pickford, a player whom the public took to its hearts two years ago. Photos of his japes in the swimming pool with an inflatable unicorn, as well as the conversation with his fiancée after the win over Colombia, went viral and endeared him to diehard fans and casual supporters alike. The nickname “Slabhead”, affectionate in its humour, suggested a no-nonsense approach that actually did his footballing abilities a disservice. Last summer saw Manchester United pay a world-record fee for a defender to acquire his services, and he was named captain within six months of his arrival.

The start to this season has raised questions, however, over whether the brand built at the World Cup masked the weaknesses in his game. Personal off-field troubles in pre-season have been followed by the Red Devil’s poor start to the Premier League campaign of which he cannot be absolved following his own errors against Tottenham. It would take a disaster for Southgate to lose confidence in him, but a rash red card against Denmark was not the response he would have been hoping for.

Ashley Young

Perhaps a surprise inclusion in the 2018 line-up, where he started five of England’s seven games and only missed the clashes with Belgium where the stakes were lowered. If not a surprise, then possibly not as well remembered. He is now 35 and hasn’t appeared for the Three Lions since.

What else is there to say? Well, the fact a right-footed player was deployed on the left could offer to hope to Trippier of replacing him there should Chilwell’s injury concerns continue. Southgate has also experimented with Arsenal duo Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bukayo Saka in the last round of matches; the former is, like Trippier, right-footed, while the latter is best arguably best utilised further forward.

Jordan Henderson

Henderson’s story since that summer has been the standout. He arrived in Russia having just missed out on Champions League glory, but another heartbreak has not been a setback. He has had two amazing seasons since, first guiding Liverpool to another Champions League final to finish on the winning side, before being the first Reds skipper to lift the league trophy in 30 years.

Whether Southgate opts for three men or two in midfield, Henderson is the first of these players who is certain to start.

Jesse Lingard

Another whose playful attitude made him amiable to the public, as did his spectacular strike against Panama early on. Manchester United’s 2017/18 season had just ended with them second in the Premier League standings, their highest finish in five years, while he had scored eight times – his best return in a campaign. Furthermore, he was viewed as an exciting option in a midfield pairing where other managers might have opted for a more defensive-minded player. The nickname “Messi Lingard” was tongue in cheek and reflected the nation’s mood.

Unfortunately, the 2019/20 season was one to forget and he now faces a fight to get his club career back on track before he can consider the national team. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not name him in the matchday squad for 12 of his side’s league games last season, while his first (and only) goal contribution came in injury-time against Leicester on the final day. His sole strikes in any competition were against Tranmere, Astana and LASK.

He has not played a single minute of United’s three league games this season, which, considering the Red Devils have been far from perfect, is damning. Southgate has not called him up to the England squad at any of the last five opportunities and this does not seem set to change. Against Belgium on Sunday, Declan Rice took the number seven shirt worn by Lingard two years ago and is likely to continue by offering more security.

Raheem Sterling

Given that he had scored 18 league goals in the season prior, it’s hard to imagine that Sterling did not get on the scoresheet at the World Cup. Of course, he could have done. How different would things have been had Kane squared it to his teammate with the score 1-0 against Croatia… England fans will never know.

I thought I was ready to see this again but I was wrong. Just pass it to Raheem - please! Image: FIFA TV via Youtube.

His place is now under threat from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, although he offers more of a goal threat (31 in all club competitions last season, compared to his competitors’ tallies of 20 and 22 respectively). His versatility on either wing will work in his favour, too.

Dele Alli

Three impressive seasons with Spurs saw Southgate field Dele alongside club teammate Harry Kane in a partnership that made complete sense. His header against Sweden sealed his side’s passage to the semi-finals.

Two years on and he has not been selected for latest squad, while there are question marks over exactly where he would fit in for club and country. Southgate’s preference for Mason Mount has been scrutinised, but the Chelsea youngster has performed well in the recent fixtures while Jack Grealish earned plaudits against Wales. James Maddison is still to return and, if Southgate opts for a third outright forward, Sancho or Rashford are the go-to names.

Harry Kane

The Golden Boot winner. Having already been the top scorer in two consecutive Premier League campaigns, the World Cup 2018 sent Kane international. Yes, three were penalties and yes, one was deflected. No, he didn’t find the net in the latter stages. Nonetheless he was still just the second Englishman to win it at a World Cup since Gary Lineker. Furthermore, his success was another welcome feel-good factor.

Injuries have hampered Kane in last two seasons, but he has still managed 56 goals in 82 appearances for Tottenham in that time, as well as 13 in 19 international matches. He has begun 2020/21 with three goals and six assists in his first four league games, plus five more strikes in Europa League qualifying. A certainty to start, and as captain.