fifa world cup 2022 england best starting lineupfifa world cup 2022 england best starting lineup

A Plethora of talent in focus, as we look at the best predicted starting lineup for England for FIFA World Cup 2022.

The 2018 World Cup semifinalists and Euro 2020 finalists, England are entering the FIFA World Cup with lots of promise. But as has been the case with the English team, the question has never been about the talent, but the execution at the highest level.

Fortunately, England aren’t entering the tournament as favorites as Brazil, Argentina, defending champions France and Spain have better betting odds to win the World Cup. This may help them to focus on their game, and to execute their plan without much noise and external pressure. 

Gareth Southgate has a plethora of talent at his service, and it will be a difficult task to choose the perfect starting 11. We expect a bit of tinkering in starting lineup in group matches as England are placed with Iran, Wales, and the USA in a comparatively easier group.

Given the relatively easier group, the group stage matches shall help England to find the perfect recipe for the knockouts. So, as we are nearing the start of the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2022, let’s look at the best starting lineup for the England side.

Best Predicted Starting Lineup for England for FIFA World Cup 2022: 

Formation

Gareth Southgate has multiple options in every position and there are like-to-like options in most cases. He would mostly stick to a 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation in the tournament with Harry Kane leading the attack.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford

England tried both Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale in the recently concluded UEFA Nations League in September. But still, the number one choice in front of the post should be Jordan Pickford. Pickford was one of the best goalkeepers of Euro 2020. He kept 5 clean sheets through the road to the finals and conceded only 2 goals (excluding a penalty shootout) in the whole Euro 2020.

Defenders

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw is one of the sure starters. He played 6 out of 7 Euro 2020 matches. He had an excellent tournament not only defensively but in creating goal-scoring opportunities as well. Shaw provided 3 assists and scored his first-ever international goal within 2 minutes in the finals against Italy at Wembley.

John Stones

Stones is one of the most trusted players of Southgate. He featured in all 7 fixtures of EURO 2020 and 9 out of 10 UEFA World Cup qualifying matches for England. His EURO 2020 figures speak for themselves with 50℅ tackles won, 59℅ duals won, 18 clearances, 8 blocked shots, and 5 interceptions. He surely is the heart of England’s defence line.

Harry Maguire

Maguire had a few difficult 5-6 months in Manchester United colors this season. First, he lost his place to Raphael Varane and then struggled with a hamstring injury. But he will surely get a node in Southgate’s setup. As Southgate is not expected to change much in his tried and tested formula of 5 defenders at the backline.

Kieran Trippier

In absence of Kyle Walker in the opening game, Trippier seems to be a sure starter. Though Southgate has another supremely talented right-back TAA, looking at previous games, TAA is still behind in packing order. Apart from that Trippier is in the form of his life with 76% tackles won, 30 clearances, 8 blocked shots, and 20 interceptions for Newcastle United this season.

Defensive Mid-Fielders

Declan Rice

Whether Southgate plays 4 or 5 players at the backline, Rice will play the role of holding midfielder. He played all matches for England in Euro 2020 and 5 out of 6 matches in recently concluded Nations League matches. His pace and clearing skills will surely come in handy in the later stage of the tournament against a formidable attack.

Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham has truly announced himself in senior football this season. He has 3 goals & 2 assists in Bundesliga and 4 goals & 1 assist in the Champions League. His heroics in UCL and Bundesliga is hard to ignore.

Southgate has shown faith in the teenager and given him considerable game time in Nations League matches. With Declan Rice playing the role of holding midfielder, Bellingham will get the liberty to play freely in midfield at times.

Attacking Mid-Fielders

Raheem Sterling

Sterling played a pivotal role in England’s journey to the Euro 2020 finals with 3 goals and 1 assist. He is a regular starter in Gareth Southgate’s lineups. He played 7 out of 10 UEFA World Cup qualifiers and 5 out of 6 Nations League matches. So we will definitely see him along with Harry Kane on the attacking front.

Phil Foden

Though Southgate has many options upfront in the likes of Grealish, Rashford, Mount, and Maddison. But based on his current form, Foden should start for Three Lions. He has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in the star-studded Manchester City side with 88.2 minutes/Goal or assist in EPL this season. He will certainly play a crucial role in Southgate’s endeavor to bring back World Cup glory to England.

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka is one of the most in-form players in this England squad. He is currently the best player for his club Arsenal and the reason behind the Gunners topping the charts of EPL. He has 4 goals and 6 assists in 14 PL matches this season, which is quite good. 

The 21-year-old will definitely look to leave behind the disappointment of a penalty shootout in the Euro 2020 finals. Importantly, Saka adds great dimension to Gareth Southgate’s setup. Apart from attacking skills, he does the dirty work of falling back as soon as possession is lost.

Forward

Harry Kane

Golden Boot winner of the previous edition of the World Cup with 6 goals, the man needs no introduction. He also scored 4 goals in Euro 2020 and shall lead England to the finals where they lost to Italy in penalties. Harry Kane is once again the contender for Golden Boot in this World Cup, and will captain this talented English side.

FIFA World Cup 2022: Best Predicted Starting Lineup for England

GK: Jordan Pickford

Defenders: Luke Shaw, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier

Defensive Mid-field: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham

Attacking Mid-field: Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka

Forward: Harry Kane

Thanks for reading! What’s your starting lineup for England for FIFA World Cup 2022? Please email your thoughts to footbalyticsofficial@gmail.com


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By Akshay

Akshay is an author at Footbalytics. His love for football started way back in 1998 when Ronaldo (Not Cristiano) was his first football hero, and the list keeps getting longer ever since. Though Akshay is a Teacher by profession, he firmly believes that there is no better classroom than the Sports field and no better Teacher than Sports.