On the plane or sofa? How England’s World Cup squad is shaping up

It looks certain that Jordan Pickford will keep his place as No 1 in Qatar. Southgate has made clear that Kyle Walker is one of the leaders who makes his squad tick and he believes the same of Harry Maguire, even if the boo boys think otherwise. John Stones will also be an influence on and off the pitch. Kieran Trippier is another who has been namechecked as a pillar of the dressing room, and can fulfil both full-back roles. Although Reece James faces a stern battle for the right-back berth, it is inconceivable he will be overlooked for at least a squad spot.

Mason Mount looks a guaranteed starter, Southgate having gone out of his way to highlight his importance to England’s pressing game recently. Declan Rice, whose driving runs cannot be replicated, is also sure to travel and Kalvin Phillips can be confident of starting alongside him even if a sub-par showing against Hungary is fresh in the memory. Jordan Henderson’s presence was missed over the past fortnight and he will not be overlooked.

Although neither hit form during this month’s Nations League slump, it virtually goes without saying that Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are nailed-on picks. As Southgate asked last week: where else are England going to find goals? Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka will be asked to help on that front. Foden offers ingenuity that Southgate cannot find anywhere else and the manager sees Saka as a model professional who can contribute in a range of positions, even if the Arsenal winger had clearly run out of steam when the June internationals came around.

Aaron Ramsdale will travel as England’s second keeper unless domestic form deserts him. He impressed against Italy and few can operate comparably with their feet. At the end of last week Nic