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

Midfielders: Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Wilshere and Lallana would have added some much-needed flair to the England midfield

Before I discuss the three notable absentees, I would like to point out that Jonjo Shelvey also deserved a spot here but I went with more renowned names.

Southgate has gone with just five midfielders and six if you still count Delph as a midfielder. Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Jesse Lingard have rightfully earned their place in the squad but it is difficult to say the same about Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Don’t get me wrong, Loftus-Cheek has performed for Crystal Palace this season. He played 29 games this season while scoring twice and assisting thrice.

The omitted and the injury-prone Jack Wilshere played 38 games this season of which 29 were starts and racked up 2 goals and 5 assists. Wilshere is easily one of the most technically apt players in England but Southgate has left him out for reasons only he knows.

Adam Lallana is another player with flair like Wilshere and he too has been left out. The Liverpool man has suffered major injury setbacks this season and only started four games across all competitions.

He also doesn’t have a single goal or assist to his name this season but still finds himself on the standby list for the World Cup while Wilshere has been left out completely.

Chamberlain was a sure starter for England if he was fit

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another Liverpool player missing out through injury. However, unlike Lallana, Chamberlain is not fit at the moment.

The former Arsenal man enjoyed a prolific debut season at Liverpool and was sure to be on the plane to Russia if not for his injury.