ARSENAL – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Once upon a time it felt as though Rob Holding was destined for an England call-up. Gareth Southgate once praised him as “a centre-back that can use the ball well,” which at least places him above Chris Smalling in the pecking order. But Arsene Wenger has broken the 22-year-old, and so Ainsley Maitland-Niles might have sneaked ahead of his young teammate. The 20-year-old has made his first-team breakthrough this season and offers undoubted versatility, starting games at right-back, left-back, central midfield and in his preferred position on the wing so far for Arsenal. He is far better served in England’s youth system for now, but senior recognition is not out of the question.

BOUREMOUTH – Lewis Cook

“Angus has worked with us in the under-21s, he’s playing in the league. The other two are the captain of the under-20s’ World Cup winners, and the golden boot winner in the under-20s’ World Cup, so they’ve got good pedigree,” said Southgate in November 2017, discussing Angus Gunn, Lewis Cook and Dominic Solanke. Four months later, and Cook is the only member of that young triptych still in the England squad. It is a matter of time before the midfielder receives his first cap; it could even be as soon as Tuesday. Callum Wilson could fancy his chances next.

BRIGHTON – Lewis Dunk

An own goal-drought of two Premier League games should not disguise the recent upturn in form experienced by Lewis Dunk. Since the centre-half was promoted to regular captain in the absence of the dropped Bruno, Brighton have lost just two of seven matches, winning three and steering clear of relegation. With Southgate constantly chopping and changing his defenders, the 26-year-old cannot be far away.

BURNLEY – Nick Pope

The opportunity might have unfortunately passed for Dean Marney, but not for Nick Pope. The 25-year-old started the season as back-up to Tom Heaton, yet to make his Premier League debut despite joining Burnley in summer 2016. The campaign could well end with his seat to Russia booked, having kept 12 clean sheets in 30 appearances.

CHELSEA – Mason Mount

The only English players to feature for Chelsea in all competitions this season are Gary Cahill (dropped), Danny Drinkwater back-up), Ross Barkley (broken), Callum Hudson-Odoi (78 minutes), Kyle Scott (capped at American youth level), Jake Clarke-Salter (19 minutes) and Dujon Sterling (15 minutes). So to find Chelsea’s next debutant, one must inspect their vast pool of loan players, where Mason Mount is coping with life at Vitesse swimmingly. The 19-year-old has scored seven goals and assisted a further four in 23 Eredivisie appearances. Four goals in five U19 European Championship qualifiers will certainly catch the eye.

Mason Mount (19y, 65d) is 125 days older and has 7 goals plus 3 assists, but remains in the England U19 squad, whilst Kluivert is in the Dutch senior squad. Tells a couple of stories all by itself as a simple comparison. #CFC https://t.co/EZDalq5Rmt — Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) March 16, 2018

CRYSTAL PALACE – Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The James Tomkins, Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon and Joel Ward ships have all sailed, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s has only just docked at Premier League level. Roy Hodgson has been left “amazed” at how the right-back has slotted seamlessly into the first team, faring well against Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea before finally winning his first game against Huddersfield last week. Then he went and got sent off on his England Under-20s debut on Thursday as the world realised he can in fact mistime a tackle.



EVERTON – Ademola Lookman

Dominic Calvert-Lewin might be one of our five uncapped England players who deserve a chance to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup, but the 21-year-old has started just one of Everton’s last ten Premier League games. The scorer of the U20 World Cup-winning goal also played just six minutes of the Under-21s’ recent win over Romania, of which Ademola Lookman played the full game. The winger is hardly finding playing opportunities easy to come by himself on loan at RB Leipzig, but feels closer to making that final step than the man he left behind at Goodison Park.

HUDDERSFIELD – Alex Pritchard

Of the four English Terriers that Southgate visited the John Smith’s Stadium to watch against Bournemouth in February, Alex Pritchard was always likely to be the subject of scrutiny. Scott Malone and Jonathan Hogg have likely never contemplated futures on the international scene, while that seems like a distant dream for Tom Ince. Pritchard scored and impressed in the 4-1 win, and worked with the Three Lions boss at Under-21 level.

LEICESTER – Ben Chilwell

While Harry Redknapp is still wondering when Jamaica international Wes Morgan will receive an England cap, the rest of us are contemplating whether Demarai Gray is good enough to. The winger is perhaps too good for the U21s, but will never make the step up until he receives regular minutes at club level. He has played less football than Ben Chilwell this season, who also benefits from facing much less accomplished and assured competition. With continued uncertainty surrounding England’s regular starting left-back, Chilwell might be one of the next cabs off the rank.

LIVERPOOL – Trent Alexander-Arnold

The hiccup against Manchester United should do little to derail an otherwise excellent season for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has benefited from Nathaniel Clyne’s injury to possibly even establish himself ahead of his compatriot when both are fully fit. The 19-year-old was even invited to train with the senior earlier this week to bolster the numbers; he is on his way to earning that place on merit.

Enjoyed watching England under-21s tonight. They seem to be genuinely having fun. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is excellent whenever I see him, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was good in defence and better in midfield, could easily be England's World Cup bolter. — Sam Dean (@SamJDean) March 24, 2018

MANCHESTER CITY – Phil Foden

“I’m excited by [Phil] Foden and [Jadon] Sancho. I can see a different sort of technical player coming through the system. The way I want to play the game, and what’s needed to build from the back and play through midfield in that, needs a certain sort of technical player” – Southgate, November 2017.

Some will wonder why a 17-year-old with 18 minutes of Premier League football throughout his career is not in the current squad; some are silly. It will happen eventually. Just maybe not three months before a World Cup.

MANCHESTER UNITED – Axel Tuanzebe

After bearing the “burden” of playing for Jose Mourinho at the end of last season and start of this, Axel Tuanzebe was shipped off to Aston Villa in January to learn the defensive trade alongside John Terry. An injury has scuppered a promising start under Steve Bruce, but he has shown plenty of promise at such an early stage. Axel just needs to keep grinding away.

NEWCASTLE – Jamaal Lascelles

The easiest inclusion on this list. No Premier League captain has a more positive impact on his side’s performances and results. He’s good, you know.

SOUTHAMPTON – Jack Stephens

A stretch, sure, but perhaps Jack Stephens can take inspiration from James Tarkowski. The Burnley centre-half was trusted as Michael Keane’s in-house replacement in a similar vein to Southampton handing Stephens the defensive reins upon Virgil van Dijk’s departure. The 24-year-old was also a regular at England youth levels, and is only three goals behind Saints’ top scorer this season. I’ve not convinced myself, if I’m honest.

STOKE – Tom Edwards

Lee Grant might finally have given up on his World Cup dream, while Saido Berahino has not scored since Freddo bars only cost 5p. So Stoke are playing the long game, with Tom Edwards (19) and Josh Tymon (18) destined to become England’s version of Roberto Carlos and Cafu on either flank. Edwards has quietly emerged in the first team this season, starting six Premier League games. Stoke have lost those matches by an aggregate score of 20-5.

SWANSEA – Alfie Mawson

“You know it’s down to performing well at certain times, it’s down to doing the right things and sometimes it’s down to being a nice person,” said Alfie Mawson when asked about his England call-up earlier this week, and few would argue that the Swansea centre-half has not performed well at certain times, done the right things and been a downright lovely bloke this season. How fitting that his international debut could come against the land of the giant, unbreachable centre-halves.

TOTTENHAM – Kyle Walker-Peters

Considering Mauricio Pochettino is helping mould the next generation of homegrown talent, it is little surprise that six of the eight Englishmen to play for the club in all competitions this season have received international caps. Of the remaining two, Kazaiah Sterling’s season in the first team has comprised of two minutes against APOEL Nicosia in December, which leaves Kyle Walker-Peters. The 19-year-old actually started the first game of the campaign against Newcastle, but has featuring sparingly since. His journey on the Pochettino production line has only just begun.

WATFORD – Nathaniel Chalobah

It was hardly a secret that the name of Nathaniel Chalobah was pencilled in as a World Cup possibility at the start of this season. The midfielder was set for regular Premier League football at Watford after taking the initiative and leaving Chelsea, while Southgate has often spoken highly of the youth international in the past. A serious knee injury suffered in September has surely ended any dreams of Russia, but has only diverted his England hopes instead of completely derailing them. He was named in the last squad he was available for in August, and was invited to train with the squad earlier this week. Anything to get rid of Jake Livermore.

If Chalobah isn’t in the England squad for the WC with them midfield options then I don’t know — Max (@maxlcey) March 15, 2018

WEST BROM – Sam Field

When it comes to players under the age of 20 getting game time at West Brom, there is a Field of one. Midfielder Sam has played 568 minutes under Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew this season, while Rekeem Harper (33 minutes) and Jonathan Leko (24 minutes) are lagging ever so slightly behind. And before you laugh, Field has started seven Premier League games this season: West Brom have won two and drawn three, while the two defeats came against Swansea, when he was substituted at 0-0 at half-time in December, and Manchester City. Turns out he’s brilliant.

WEST HAM – Mark Noble

Not really.

Matt Stead