England have played their final pre-World Cup 2022 fixture with all roads now leading to Qatar.
The Three Lions’ six-match winless run is their longest since 1993, while the humiliation of relegation from the Nations League and mounting doubts over Gareth Southgate have hardly been ideal build-up for their latest run at ending 56 years of hurt in the inaugural winter tournament.
However, England did at least provide some excitement and reason for optimism in Monday night’s six-goal thriller against Germany, coming back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 until a late blunder proved so costly at Wembley.
Such an error was committed by Nick Pope, who endured a shaky night as he once again deputised for Jordan Pickford, missing from the latest round of internationals due to injury.
Have those struggles cost the Newcastle stopper the chance to be Pickford’s No2 in Qatar, or will Southgate keep his faith? Will Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale climb up the pecking order after earning just three senior caps to date?
What about Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, now receiving regular football on loan at newly-promoted Nottingham Forest? Do any other goalkeepers even stand a chance, with the likes of Sam Johnstone and Fraser Forster currently warming Premier League benches?
