England’s best XI according to stats revealed with no place for Man Utd wonderkid Mainoo and new centre-back partnership
GARETH SOUTHGATE is casting his eye over his squad ahead of the Euros – but what would his team look like if he based it on WhoScored ratings?
The England boss has handed out first time call-ups to three players in his latest squad – Kobbie Mainoo, Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon – but two of those miss out based on the stats.
There are plenty of familiar faces in Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, but the defence looks markedly different.
Mainoo, 18, does not feature despite impressing for Manchester United, and neither does England No1 Jordan Pickford.
Here is how England would line up if Southgate picked the team using WhoScored ratings.
Nick Pope – 6.72
The Newcastle goalkeeper has been injured since December and his side having really missed his presence between the sticks.
Pope has 10 England caps to his name but faces a race against time to be fit in time for the Euros.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.18
Alexander-Arnold was fancied by Southgate in the last international break and even played in midfield against Malta.
He hit a purple patch for Liverpool across winter and has two goals and four assists from right-back this season.
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James Tarkowski – 7.07
The Everton stalwart has won two caps under Southgate and has returned to his best this season, helping the Toffees keep eight clean sheets this term.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6.88
The youngster has also impressed playing alongside Tarkowski at Goodison Park.
And it is likely his ability to play as a left-side centre-back, as well as his youth, that has led to him being given the nod over his Everton team-mate.
Kieran Trippier – 7.18
The defender’s inclusion may raise some eyebrows as he has been rather error prone this season.
But he has produced 11 assists for Toon in all competitions so is included ahead of Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, who have been less reliable due to their injury problems.
Declan Rice – 7.4
Rice has gone from strength to strength since joining Arsenal and has started to add goals to his game in recent weeks, finding the net six times in the Premier League.
James Maddison – 7.38
Maddison staked an early claim for player of the season with his early season form before injury curtailed his season.
He has four goals and eight assists this term but he will likely need to rekindle his previous form to make Southgate’s starting line-up.
Jude Bellingham – 7.78
Bellingham has been the star of the season for Real Madrid with an incredible 20 goals in his debut campaign.
Bukayo Saka – 7.69
The winger is finding his best form during a pivotal point in the season for the Gunners, and his 16 goals and 15 assists make him a shoo-in for the Three Lions.
Phil Foden – 7.42
Foden is arguably enjoying his best season to date. He has been one of Manchester City’s best players and has fulfilled a number of roles, scoring 18 goals in the process.
Harry Kane – 7.87
The England captain has the best WhoScored rating of any Englishman this season.
That is no surprise considering he has scored 37 goals in 35 games in what has been an astonishing debut season for Bayern Munich.