Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make for his England squad as his 2022 World Cup preparations took another turn for the worse in the UEFA Nations League.
The Three Lions are among the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar this winter, but Southgate's side are in an awful run of form. A 1-0 defeat to Italy on 23 September ensured Nations League relegation, and while a pulsating 3-3 draw with Germany three days later offered hope after a spirited second-half comeback, the result ensures England head to the World Cup off the back of their worst run in 29 years.
England finished bottom of Group 3 and without a win in six games, losing three times - twice to Hungary, including a humiliating 4-0 home defeat. Their most recent loss, a 1-0 reverse in Milan, came against an Italy side still smarting from not qualifying for the World Cup altogether.
Southgate is facing huge question marks over his selections and tactics as England failed to score in four of their six Nations League games, with the team lacking creativity despite an embarrassment of riches in attack.
The manager's tactics have also been questioned further down the field: Harry Maguire continues to start despite being dropped by Manchester United, and made two costly errors against Germany. Trent Alexander-Arnold's omission against Italy was criticised by Gary Lineker, who said the Liverpool wing-back was getting "splinters in his a***" sitting on the bench - and then Southgate dropped the Liverpool star from the squad to face the Germans.
It is not all doom and gloom, though: England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euros final last year, and most players are likely pacing themselves with a busy schedule ahead before the tournament in Qatar... but Southgate will no doubt want to see more from his squad, and particularly those who still need to earn their places.
The World Cup is fast approaching, and Southgate is set to name his preliminary squad on Wednesday 19 November before the final list is submitted on Sunday 13 November... and we want to know who you think should be on the plane to Qatar in our England World Cup squad selector below.
Pick your England World Cup squad
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Once you have picked your squad, tell us who and why in the comments section below.
