Gareth Southgate's England midfield will be trading places this summer.
Southgate named seven midfielders in his squad for the Euro qualifiers double header with Malta and North Macedonia - and, incredibly, five of them could be on the move. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are set to be involved in two of the biggest transfer deals of the summer as they could both fetch around £100m each.
Conor Gallagher, James Maddison and Kalvin Phillips could also switch clubs after the transfer window officially opens for business on Wednesday. And on top of that, Chelsea ’s injured midfielder Mason Mount and James Ward-Prowse - who have both been England regulars in previous squads but are not in this time - could both move this summer.
England boss Southgate’s most immediate concern may be whether his players spend too much time on their phones and checking their Whats App messages while in Malta. Southgate has already warned that England must take neither game lightly, particularly against North Macedonia who have beaten Italy and Germany in recent times, so he will be keen for all of the players to be focused when they report up.
How refreshing to see Bellingham, 19, want to report up for the England camp at St George’s Park this week to be part of it even though his injury means he will not play in either game and will also continue his rehabilitation work. But beyond that, there must be a legitimate concern over where Southgate’s players end up this summer.
And if you need a reason why then Manchester City midfielder Phillips is the prime example. Phillips, alongside Rice, was part of England’s midfield axis at the last Euros and earned big plaudits for his displays.
But his transfer to the Etihad has hardly planned out the way Phillips probably hoped and, despite City winning the Treble, the ex-Leeds midfielder may look to move on again this summer. The warning is clear: make the wrong move and you do not just lose direction at club level.
You can lose your England place, too. And with a year to go before next year’s Euros in Germany, no regular starter will want that to happen. In contrast, Bellingham, 19, is set to join Real Madrid this summer and that could be a game-changer for the teenage midfielder and England.
England’s squad list looks so insular. Bellingham is the only player to currently ply his trade on foreign shores with Borussia Dortmund and that has helped be the making of him as one of Europe’s top prospects.
Now, Bellingham will go one step further by joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and experience another country, a different culture, learn a new language and immerse himself in being part of the Real Madrid set-up. Bellingham has made bold decisions throughout his young career and has been expertly guided so far to realise his huge potential as a generational talent.
But why do others not feel the same urge to do it? There are countless examples down the years who have enjoyed going abroad. Gary Lineker, Des Walker, David Platt and Paul Gascoigne.
Maybe it is the wealth of the Premier League. But Southgate has openly admitted in the past that he held Bellingham back because he did not think the Bundesliga was as strong or testing as the Premier League.
When Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel came calling for Rice, the West Ham captain was respectful and heard what they had to say. But he was never remotely tempted or seriously interested. His first choice is Arsenal.
What is good for Rice is that he will push himself at Arsenal. They see him as a successor for Granit Xhaka, he will play further forward and develop his game.
Meanwhile, Leicester midfielder Maddison will be on the move because he simply cannot afford to be in the Championship after relegation. Both Tottenham and Newcastle want him and there is a different challenge at both.
Mount is wanted by Manchester United, personal terms have been agreed, and the extra pressure of being a big money signing rather than homegrown academy kid will push him.
Chelsea midfielder Gallagher is in no rush to leave Stamford Bridge and wants to see if he has a future under Mauricio Pochettino. That determination deserves credit but he could yet leave if it does not happen.
Southampton midfielder Ward-Prowse has fallen down the pecking order for England but maybe a fresh start after their relegation may put him back in the frame. West Ham are keen.
So, there are pitfalls and warnings for the players. But Southgate will hope that this summer can breathe new life into some of his midfielders.
