5 England players who should be given a chance at the World Cup

#4 – Joe Gomez

Joe Gomez was fantastic for England in their friendly against Brazil

Perhaps the most outstanding performer in England’s draw with Brazil in November was Liverpool defender Joe Gomez. The youngster has been a constant in Liverpool’s starting line-up this season, but he’s played at right-back for the most part as Nathaniel Clyne has been out with a long-term back injury. The likelihood of Gomez supplanting Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier in that spot for England seems small, but a place in the squad as a central defender is definitely a possibility.

Gomez was simply fantastic against Brazil, and was named Man of the Match by the majority of observers and pundits. Not only did he show strength and courage in the tackle against some of the world’s best attacking players – including Neymar – but his ball distribution was excellent too, as he ended the game with an 87% passing accuracy. With Southgate favouring a three-man defence, suddenly Gomez’s chances of a place in the squad look even stronger.

Southgate clearly wants defenders who can pass their way out of trouble – the likes of John Stones and Harry Maguire have already proven they can do this, but in the Brazil game, Gomez proved the same, too. And with former England regulars like Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill seemingly unable to do this, then surely Gomez must be considered ahead of them in the pecking order now – experience be damned, he’s having a fantastic season and Southgate must pick on form.