Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher unveiled his personal England World Cup squad selection on Monday night, sparking debate with his inclusions and omissions as the tournament in North America approaches in under 140 days. With manager Thomas Tuchel set to finalise his squad after the March international break, Carragher's picks offer a speculative glimpse into potential national team dynamics, assuming the squad size remains at 26 players, as seen in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and Euro 2024.
Carragher's Certainties and Surprise Inclusions
During Monday Night Football, Carragher began by identifying ten players he deems certainties for the England squad. This list features standout talents such as Jude Bellingham, who has experienced fluctuating favour under Tuchel due to on-field behaviour critiques, and captain Harry Kane. Other certainties include goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, defenders Reece James, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guehi, alongside midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, plus attackers Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers.
Notably, Carragher included Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, highlighting his recent return to form under Michael Carrick and impressive performances for England, particularly in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands. Former Netherlands international Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink advocated for Luke Shaw's inclusion if fit, pointing out the left-back position as a gap in Carragher's initial certainty list.
Goalkeeper and Defensive Dilemmas
In goal, Carragher branded Dean Henderson as a 'contender', with Newcastle duo Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale categorised as 'outsiders'. Ultimately, he selected Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, and James Trafford for his squad. At full-back, contenders included Nico O'Reilly, Tino Livramento, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Djed Spence, while outsiders featured Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lewis Hall, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, and Tyrick Mitchell.
Carragher expressed a preference for Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw at left-back, praising Livramento's versatility and Alexander-Arnold's quality as a wildcard option. In central defence, John Stones was hailed as 'the best English centre back of this generation' but omitted due to injury concerns. Contenders included Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah, and Jarell Quansah, with Harry Maguire favoured over Burn for his experience and potential partnership with Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United.
Midfield and Attack Selections
Carragher confidently included Jordan Henderson, citing Tuchel's perceived need for leadership in the squad. He emphasised Henderson's role beyond football, potentially serving as a bridge between coaching and playing staff. Other midfield contenders were Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Morgan Gibbs-White, with Mainoo and Wharton making the cut. Carragher praised Mainoo's composure and impact in high-stakes matches.
For wingers and attacking roles, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were selected, though Carragher noted they might not play together. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon were chosen over outsiders like Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze, with Gordon highlighted for his consistent performances. As backup to Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins was preferred over Dominic Calvert-Lewin, citing Watkins' experience with a top club and previous tournament form.
Notable Omissions and Final Squad
Carragher's final 26-man squad excluded several high-profile players, including six-time Premier League winner Kyle Walker, John Stones, Eberechi Eze, and Jarrod Bowen. Provisional squads are expected in May, with final selections to follow. England will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in the group stage, starting on June 17 at 9pm.
Jamie Carragher's England World Cup Squad:
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
- Defenders: Reece James, Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw, Tino Livramento, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, Harry Maguire
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton
- Attackers: Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden
