FIFA World Cup 2018: The England XI that will not be playing in Russia

Centre-backs: Chris Smalling, Joe Gomez, and James Tarkowski

Smalling must be wondering how he has been left out when Jones was picked

Southgate picked four specialist centre-backs in his squad for the World Cup - Gary Cahill, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Phil Jones.

While Phil Jones was included, his Manchester United teammate, Chris Smalling, was left out. Smalling made 43 starts for Manchester United this season compared to Jones’ 24 but he clearly didn’t impress the England boss.

Gomez kept Neymar at bay on his first England start

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez received his first call-up under Southgate and put in a man of the match performance against Brazil when he made his first start for England. He was one of the players that Southgate was sure to pick for the World Cup but an injury has kept him out of the latter stages of the season and the World Cup.

The red of Poland might look good on Tarkowski

The exclusion of James Tarkowski has raised a few eyebrows as the Burnley man was one of the better defenders in the Premier League this season and he helped Burnley finish in a Europa League spot.

Interestingly, Tarkowski can still play at the World Cup because he is eligible to play for Poland through his paternal grandfather, who was born in Poland and moved to England after the Second World War. Tarkowski played in a friendly for England earlier this year but he is still eligible to play for Poland.

Newcastle United captain, Jamal Lascelles, is another notable name that has been left out of the World Cup squad.