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Aron Wright - January 24, 2022
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is less than a year away, which means the battle for a spot on the plane is underway. Gareth Southgate will likely test a huge number of players over the coming months, as he looks to refine his squad to ensure that they have the best chance possible of going one better following their defeat in the final of EURO 2020.
There is little doubt that the stats show that there is quality there in the England squad, but managing to get the best out of the players could be pivotal. Like American Football coaches studying NFL stats, Southgate will be looking to understand what every player brings to the table for the Three Lions.
But, which stars could have an outside chance of making it into the squad for the World Cup this year?
Wolves have enjoyed a strong start to the season under Bruno Lage, and one of their stars of the season to this point has been 24-year-old Max Kilman. Much to the amazement of Wolves fans’, the central defender hasn’t yet got a look-in for a place in the England squad, despite the faltering performances of regular choice defenders such as Harry Maguire and Tyrone Mings.
Kilman has been a regular in the Wolves side for the past two years, having made 18 appearances in the Premier League last term. Meanwhile, he has played in all fixtures in the English top-flight for the Midlands side this season.
The 24-year-old has averaged solid numbers in the Premier League this term, having made an average of two tackles per game, and 1.9 interceptions. Kilman has also averaged 3.7 clearances. It is unlikely that his performances are going to continue being overlooked.
Another player that operates in the West Midlands is Jacob Ramsey, and the 20-year-old has been impressive throughout the season for Aston Villa. Ramsey has enjoyed an incredible rise to the first-team, having signed for his boyhood club when he was just six.
He made his competitive debut for the club against local rivals West Bromwich Albion in a Championship fixture in 2019, before being loaned out the following year.
However, since returning to Villa Park, he has been given chances to shine for the Midlands club. Ramsey made his first Premier League start for Villa in December 2020 against Wolves, and signed a new four-year deal just a couple of months later.
This season, his game has reached new heights and he has been among the first names on the team sheet for first Dean Smith, and then Steven Gerrard. He scored an incredible solo goal against Norwich in December, before once again showing his fancy footwork to score in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in mid-January.
Ramsey has already scored three goals and made one assist this term, and has a pass completion rate of 86.6%. Reports have already indicated that Southgate has been in communication with the midfielder, which means a call-up may not be far away.
The attacking positions in the England squad look the hardest to break into for the World Cup. Forward players such as Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden have made the positions their own over the past year.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho offer different options. However, if there is one player that could break into the squad for the World Cup this year, it could be West Ham United’s, Jarrod Bowen.
The 25-year-old is enjoying his best season to date in the Premier League this term, as he has scored six goals and registered seven assists. He has scored a total of nine goals and eight assists across all competitions for the Hammers. Bowen isn’t afraid of taking responsibility for the Hammers either, as he has averaged 2.5 shots per game, and made 1.3 key passes.
The next six months or so could be crucial for Bowen’s chances of making the World Cup squad in the winter, as he will need to make a decision whether to leave the London Stadium, with Liverpool among the clubs that are reportedly interested in making a move.
