Six surprise England players Southgate SHOULD pick for the Qatar World Cup

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With the Qatar World cup coming up later this year England manager Gareth Southgate has got yet another squad selection headache. England fans around the country are more optimistic then ever after plenty of positives to take out of the last World Cup and Euro 2020. With some nailed-on selections for Southgate already, we will be looking at the potential surprise selections he should take to Qatar.

Jarrod Bowen – West Ham United

Any England fan could tell you how much this man deserves a call up to Qatar, the West Ham United forward has conjured up a very impressive nine goals and eight assists in 29 premier league games and has been David Moyes’s leading man in West Ham’s fight for Champions league. With his consistent performances the former Hull City man was sure to get an England call up for their games against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, however an injury away to Liverpool stopped that dream happening. Despite this Bowen has come back stronger than ever after his winning goal against Everton in the Hammers 2-1 win against the Toffees and with another goal to add to his increasing tally Southgate has got to investigate taking him to the World cup.

James Ward-Prowse - Southampton

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It has been a brilliant season for arguably the best dead-ball specialist in Europe, James Ward-Prowse. Many England fans consider this man to be in that England squad come November and with his sensational set-piece taking and commanding role in the heart of the Southampton midfield it’s hard to see why he shouldn’t be on the plane to Qatar. The saints captain with seven goals and four assists this season can be considered one of the most underrated performers in the Premier League and now in his tenth season with Southampton he has been a loyal servant towards the saints faithful and a major international tournament call-up is long overdue.

Trevoh Chalobah - Chelsea

A real breakthrough performer this season has been 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah who has played a key role in Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side this season. The versatile defender has been a regular starter in the Blue’s highly in-depth squad with 17 appearances under his belt in the Premier League and four goals this season including a goal against Juventus in Chelsea’s 4-0 win in the Champions League. The youngster hasn’t lost a game in the Premier League this season when he’s featured for the blues and was a clear absence when Brentford put 4 past Tuchel’s side in their 4-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, and when he has featured, he has only conceded ten goals in the 17 appearances he's made. With eyebrows raised at Southgate’s recent centre-back selections, Chalobah should be sure to have a place in the squad this World Cup.

James Maddison – Leicester

James Maddison has always been in contention for a place in an England international tournament squad and after four consistent seasons with Leicester City, this season he is really hoping to be on the plane to Qatar. Seemingly he has been the Foxes key man this season with eight goals and four assists and has played a key role in both the Europa League and the Europa Conference League this season. Brendan Rodgers side aren’t having the best season this time out being stranded in mid-table after consecutive fifth place finishes, but Maddison looks like a shining light within this Leicester squad and his current form could not be better timed with the World cup fast approaching.

Jacob Ramsey – Aston Villa

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Another young star in the Premier League this season has been Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey who has played a key role in Steven Gerrard’s Villa team. In his second season being properly involved with this Villa squad Ramsey has contributed six goals and one assist within Villa’s midfield and after a brace against Leeds back in February, that game alone shows Southgate what he’s missing out on if he doesn’t take the youngster to Qatar. After consistent performances with both Villa and the England under 21’s Ramsey is looking like a bright prospect within the England set-up. With the arrival of experienced Brazilian playmaker Phillipe Coutinho on-loan from Barcelona in January he has really linked up nicely beside the former Liverpool man as they both showed their class on Coutinho’s debut against Manchester United, both scoring a goal in a 2-2 draw after being 2-0 down. With his links to Coutinho in an Aston Villa midfield it makes you think what he can do with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Mason Mount etc. Southgate will have a big midfield headache, but Ramsey should be in contention.

Valentino Livramento – Southampton

Last but not least it’s Southampton’s Valentino Livramento who has largely impressed under Ralph Hasenhuttl following his move from Chelsea. The 19-year-old right back has been a perfect fit for the saints as his consistent performances get’s him into the contention for a place in Qatar. Despite the depth of England’s position at right back, Livramento has arguably shown why he should be involved within the squad later this year. With the competition of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker its difficult to see how the young right back gets involved. However, with his performances this season he deserves his chance to be considered after 24 appearances in the Premier League this season and consistent performances for the England under-21s, Livramento has shown both attacking intent and his defensive discipline when playing for Southampton. With the system played at Southampton you can see why he would work well under Southgate’s tactics and deserves to be given the chance to show what he can do within this England team.