The recent England matches have seen Gareth Southgate hand debuts to a number of players including Tammy Abraham and Jack Cork. There are still, though, a number players playing regularly for their club side who have yet to be capped. With a good season, they could be called up sooner rather than later.
Here’s an uncapped England XI who, with a bit of form at the right time, could become contenders to make the England squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia…
Uncapped England XI: World Cup 2018 outsiders
Goalkeeper: Nick Pope (Burnley)
Burnley's Goalkeeper: Nick Pope
Appearances: 1⃣4⃣
Clean Sheets: 1⃣0⃣
Goals Conceded: 7⃣ pic.twitter.com/563CH9cZ5j— Dave Roberts
(@dlrbrts) November 6, 2017
(@dlrbrts) When Tom Heaton dislocated his shoulder in Burnley’s win over Crystal Palace, Clarets fans will have feared the worst. However, the performances of Nick Pope since have eased the fans’ worries. Pope looks comfortable as a first choice keeper in the Premier League and may feel aggrieved that he hasn’t made the most recent squad after keeping four clean sheets in his seven Premier League starts.
Right Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made fewer starts as he may have hoped due to the performances of his teammate Joe Gomez, who made his international debut in the game against Germany. Alexander-Arnold, though, will know if he can replace Gomez as Liverpool’s first choice right back then he will be right behind Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker in the right back pecking order for England. At only 19 years of age, Arnold has a bright future ahead of him even if he doesn’t make his international debut this season.
Centre Back: Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United)
Cast your mind back to September and you would have found it hard to find a central defender more in the spotlight than Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United. The defender had not only made a goal-saving challenge in an away victory over Swansea but scored in both that game and the Magpies win the following week over Stoke City. Newcastle’s form has derailed in recent weeks but Lascelles looks a future England centre-back with pace and strength. The defender is also the youngest captain in the Premier League at just 24 years old.
Centre Back: Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
Tammy Abraham has played against Lewis Dunk 3 times and never scored @GarethSouthgate #bhafc pic.twitter.com/SKaJHgKLGY
— Stephen Kuhn (@StephenKuhn2) November 5, 2017
When the England squad was announced there were strong calls emanating from the south coast for Lewis Dunk’s inclusion. Dunk was unfortunate on this occasion but joins Lascelles as an English centre-back who has settled quickly after promotion from the Championship. Dunk has formed a strong partnership with Irishman Shane Duffy at the centre of Brighton’s defence and their performances have helped the Seagulls lose just one game in their last six – keeping three clean sheets in the process.
Centre Back: James Tarkowski (Burnley)
Michael Keane called up for England ahead of James Tarkowski? You've got to be joking.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) November 6, 2017
Only three teams have conceded less goals this season than Burnley and main reason for that are the performances of defensive duo Ben Mee and James Tarkowski. Both arguably deserve a cap on current form but the likelihood is that the 24-year-old James Tarkowski could make the squad. Sean Dyche surprised a few when he chose Tarkowski to replace the departing Michael Keane rather than signing a new defender but his decision has been vindicated. Tarkowski looks as impressive as Keane did last season.
SEE ALSO: How Sean Dyche and James Tarkowski are resurrecting the lost art of defending at Burnley
Left Back: Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
Beyond Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand and Aaron Cresswell, England aren’t blessed with choices at left back. Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell may benefit if Southgate persists with wing backs with Chilwell’s strengths being his attacking prowess rather than his defensive work. Chilwell has played for England at younger levels including seven caps for the Under-21s. The 20-year-old looks like a bright prospect to claim the left back spot in the future.
Centre Midfield: Tom Davies (Everton)
At 19 years of age it would be a surprise if Tom Davies doesn’t make the step up to the senior squad at some point in his career. He has represented England up to Under-21 level already. Everton haven’t enjoyed the best of starts to the season but Davies has emerged as one of the more exciting central midfielders at Goodison Park since making his debut back in January. England don’t have many centre midfield options and Davies is a player who can both create and keep possession.
Centre Midfield: Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford)
The fact we spent a combined £75m on Bakayoko and Drinkwater when we already had Loftus-Cheek and Chalobah winds me right up
— Keith (@Dan3verett) November 10, 2017
After receiving his first call-up to the England squad, Nathaniel Chalobah will have been disappointed not to make his debut in the qualifiers against Slovakia and Malta at the start of September. A knee injury at the end of that month has prevented Chalobah from making any squad since but having made a strong start to the season at Watford and over 40 appearances for the Under-21s, the midfielder will surely make his debut in the near future.
Right Wing: Demarai Gray (Leicester City)
For the past couple of seasons, Demarai Gray has shown glimpses of his talent but struggled to maintain any consistency in his performances. Gray has started both games since Claude Puel has taken over at Leicester, and will hope if given a run in the first team he could establish himself at both club level and make the step up internationally.
Left Wing: Scott Sinclair (Celtic)
| Scott Sinclair has been a
since signing for @CelticFC. Check out his debut, where he announced his arrival with this finish! #tbt pic.twitter.com/ciNd7GDFJO
— SPFL (@spfl) November 9, 2017
since signing for Scott Sinclair has had something of a resurgence since his move to Celtic and netted over 20 league goals last season for the Scottish champions. However, despite his form, he has been overlooked for the England squad regularly. Now 28, time could be running out for the wide man. A move to the Premier League looks to be the only way he could force himself into Southgate’s plans, as it seems the Scottish league is not considered challenging enough.
Striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
5⃣ goals
2⃣ assistsDominic Calvert-Lewin has been involved in more goals than any other Everton player this season.#EVEWAT pic.twitter.com/fmARsUjIQu
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 5, 2017
Dominic Calvert-Lewin may feel a little frustrated that he failed to get the call-up to join the senior squad ahead of Dominic Solanke. Calvert-Lewin has been a regular for Everton this season and recently scored his first Premier League goal – while Liverpool’s Solanke has played just 85 minutes of Premier League football. Calvert-Lewin scored the winning goal in the Under-20 World Cup final and should earn his first call-up soon if he continues to be selected for Everton.
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Main image credit: FIFA World Cup via Twitter
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