5 players who will make their England debuts soon

#2 Nathaniel Chalobah

Nathaniel Chalobah has bags of experience with England's youth squads

Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah was actually called into September’s England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Malta, but didn’t end up playing a part after picking up a knock. He’s since been on the shelf with a knee injury, but is expected to return before the New Year, and when he does, I have no doubt that Southgate will call him back into his squad. And it’s with very good reason, too.

Firstly, he knows Chalobah well from his days with the England U21 squad – Chalobah picked up a remarkable 40 caps with the U21s and has 96 overall with England’s youth squads, with whom he usually played a key role in their midfield. Secondly, talent has never been a question with him – it has always been an issue of him getting first team football, and since his move from Chelsea to Watford, he has been an ever-present until his injury.

With Southgate’s other options for England’s deep-lying midfield spot being extremely limited players like Jordan Henderson and Jake Livermore, the chance for Chalobah to make the spot his own once he’s fit seems very high. He’s got the athleticism, quickness and range of passing that those two players lack. If Chalobah hasn’t been capped by England by the end of the season, it would be gobsmacking.