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The winners and losers from England's World Cup squad

Following confirmation of England's World Cup squad, Sports Mole takes a look at the winners and losers from Gareth Southgate's announcement.

England manager Gareth Southgate has named his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, which has unsurprisingly thrown up praise, debate and criticism left right and centre.

A healthy mix of experienced heads and major tournaments novices will be involved for the Three Lions in Qatar, as Iran, Wales and the USA await the Euro 2020 runners-up in Group B.

Southgate has not named a single player without an England cap to his name for the 2022 tournament, and there are several faces who will be jubilated, while others will have been left dejected by failure to force their way in.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the winners and losers from Southgate's World Cup squad as England aim to end their 56-year major tournament drought.


WINNER - JAMES MADDISON

James Maddison in action for Leicester City on October 8, 2022© Reuters

One of the key talking points before the squad was announced, Leicester City playmaker Maddison was a pick of most fans given his stellar start to the season, but he has not won Southgate over on a consistent basis.

However, the playmaker's six goals and four Premier League assists this season were too good to ignore, and the one-cap England international ought to be an exciting watch in Qatar.


WINNER - CALLUM WILSON

Callum Wilson celebrates scoring for Newcastle United on August 21, 2022© Reuters

The battle to act as England's backup to Harry Kane went right down to the wire, but leading the line for a Newcastle United side pushing for Champions League qualification worked heavily in Callum Wilson's favour.

The 30-year-old may only have four England caps to his name, but scoring six in 10 for Newcastle in the Premier League has helped him win over Southgate as he prepares for his first-ever major tournament for his country, and it has been some time coming.


WINNER - BEN WHITE

Ben White in action for Arsenal on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Uproar was understandable when Ben White was left out of England's Nations League squad in September, but the Arsenal man has responded in the perfect way to earn a plane ticket to Qatar.

The versatile defender has taken to the right-back role like a duck takes to water for Arsenal, who would certainly not be at the top of the league without him, but it would have been interesting to see if he would have earned a call-up had Reece James not suffered his serious knee injury.


WINNER - MARCUS RASHFORD

Marcus Rashford scores a disallowed goal for Manchester United on October 9, 2022© Reuters

There could not have been many complaints during Marcus Rashford's spell out of the England team amid his struggles at Manchester United, but the 25-year-old has been given a new lease of life under Erik ten Hag.

Scoring seven goals in all competitions was always going to stand him in good stead for a call-up, and having failed to start a single game for England at Euro 2020, Rashford and his 46 international caps will certainly be out to improve on that statistic in Qatar.


WINNER - KALVIN PHILLIPS

Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips pictured on November 9, 2022© Reuters

Even when he was rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips remained optimistic that he could force his way into England's World Cup squad, and that positive attitude has paid off for the former Leeds United man.

Southgate is certainly aware of how effective a Phillips and Declan Rice pairing can be following England's run to the Euros final, but Jude Bellingham will have something to say about that.

Phillips enters the tournament having played just 53 competitive minutes for Man City - 40 of which came in Wednesday's EFL Cup win over Chelsea - and he will have a big point to prove in Qatar.


LOSER - FIKAYO TOMORI

AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori sees red on October 11, 2022© Reuters

Many believe that playing outside of the Premier League for AC Milan works against Fikayo Tomori when it comes to international selections, in spite of the fact that he won the Scudetto with the Rossoneri last term.

Tomori has remained a key part of the Milan squad this term, but he did not cover himself in glory against Chelsea in the Champions League, and Southgate would have surely been casting a watchful eye over those two matches.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old can feel hard done by this time around, and the inclusions of Harry Maguire and Conor Coady over Tomori have not pleased everyone.


LOSER - IVAN TONEY

Brentford forward Ivan Toney after scoring against Gillingham in the EFL Cup on November 8, 2022.© Reuters

After earning his first call-up to the England squad only a couple of months ago, there was optimism that Brentford talisman Ivan Toney would be on the plane to Qatar had he been able to keep performing in the same vein.

Despite scoring eight goals in the Premier League so far this term, Toney ultimately lost out to Wilson - a man four years his senior - but he will no doubt have his eyes on future opportunities at major tournaments.

The uncapped striker has also been caught up in gambling allegations in recent days, but that investigation is not believed to have been a factor in Southgate's decision to leave him out.


LOSER - JAMES WARD-PROWSE

James Ward-Prowse in England training on September 25, 2022© Reuters

Any player who has come up against Southampton's James Ward-Prowse knows the meticulous planning needed to defend his set-pieces, but those dead-ball specialities have not been enough for the Saints skipper.

Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice were shoo-ins for the squad, leaving it up to the likes of Ward-Prowse, Conor Gallagher and Phillips to battle for the final midfield roles.

Playing for a Southampton side battling in the relegation zone has not done Ward-Prowse any favours at all, but he should be the first port of call if any midfield injuries occur this weekend.


LOSER - TAMMY ABRAHAM

Tammy Abraham in action for Roma on November 3, 2022© Reuters

A stint away from the Premier League was just what Roma's Tammy Abraham needed to light the blue touch paper, scoring 27 goals last term and firing Jose Mourinho's side to Europa Conference League glory.

Things have not gone as swimmingly for Abraham this term, though, as the ex-Chelsea man has only scored three times in 14 Serie A matches and was dropped to the bench against Sassuolo last weekend as a result.

Despite netting as a substitute in that game, it was too little too late for Abraham to change Southgate's mind, and the 25-year-old's wait for a major tournament bow in England colours goes on.


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James Maddison in action for Leicester City on October 8, 2022
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