Gareth Southgate has made a number of ruthless calls as the likes of Joe Gomez and Jadon Sancho have been left out of England's World Cup squad.
The Three Lions' manager announced his 26-man selection for the squad travelling to Qatar on Thursday, with Leicester's James Maddison the shock inclusion despite having not played for England since 2019. Arsenal's Ben White and Newcastle's Callum Wilson have been selected while injuries have denied Chelsea's Reece James and Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Southgate has also overlooked several players who have appeared under him in an England shirt, including recent call-ups Ivan Toney (Brentford) and Jarrod Bowen ( West Ham ), along with regular pick James Ward-Prowse ( Southampton ), who was on the fringes of the Euro 2020 squad only to miss out in similar heartache.
The omission of Liverpool centre-back Gomez is arguably the biggest snub, with Tottenham's Eric Dier and Everton's Conor Coady both involved. Injuries and a lack of form ahead of the tournament have thwarted Gomez's hopes, while Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings has also failed to make the cut despite being a regular in qualifying.
Gomez's Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold has been included, perhaps helped by James' absence, as has Kyle Walker who has proven his fitness in time. White's inclusion provides cover at both full-back and at centre-back, thus blocking Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori from earning a place.
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Arguably the weak spot in England's squad is in the left side of defence, with Luke Shaw the only recognised left-back, though Kieran Trippier can play on that flank. Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell was a contender to provide competition after Chelsea's Ben Chilwell was ruled out, but Southgate opted against the 23-year-old.
Southgate's preferred three goalkeeper choices have been cemented for some time, meaning Nottingham Forest's Dean Henderson is not included despite being part of the original squad for Euro 2020 before withdrawing through injury.
It is in attack where Southgate has had to be particularly decisive. Roma's Tammy Abraham falls victim to the axe after his recent below-par run of form, with Wilson leapfrogging him and Brentford striker Toney in the pecking order. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is another who has been involved in previous camps but has not done enough this time to play a part in Qatar.
West Ham star Bowen was called up for the Nations League matches in the summer but England were in dismal form and he has failed to stake his claim, while United winger Sancho misses out despite coming on as a substitute in the Euro 2020 final.
Missing out
Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest)
Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Marc Guehi ( Crystal Palace ), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace), Reece James ( Chelsea )
James Ward-Prowse ( Southampton ), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)
Ivan Toney (Brentford), Jadon Sancho (Man Utd), Tammy Abraham (Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin ( Everton ), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
*FREE England wall chart in this weekend's Sunday Mirror and People.
