The England national team has announced the list of 28 players for the 2022/2023 UEFA Nations League match this September. Interestingly, there is no name Jadon Sancho in the list of players chosen by manager Gareth Southgate.
Southgate called up a number of new faces in his list of 28 players. One of the most highlighted is Ivan Toney. The Brentford bomber has been in good form earlier this season and has scored five Premier League goals.
Some of Southgate's selected players were highlighted for not being in the best form. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are the reserves at Manchester United. Likewise, Calvin Phillips and Jack Grealish were not the first choice at Man City.
Then, there are still Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell who have not found their best level at Chelsea. Meanwhile, there are some top players or who are in good form that are not called up. Who are they?
James Maddison
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25 years old
Club: Leicester City
Leicester City is indeed slumped at the bottom of the Premier League 2022/2023 standings. However, in the midst of this difficult situation, James Maddison performed well. He has scored two goals and provided one assist in five Premier League games.
Maddison, on paper, is in better form than both Jack Grealish and Calvin Philips who have rarely played at Man City. However, Southgate did not glance at the former Norwich player.
Jadon Sancho
Position: Winger
Age: 22 years old
Club: Manchester United
The biggest question for Southgate is why he didn't call up Jadon Sancho for England. Because, Sancho's performance was very good at the start of the season. Very different from last season.
Sancho has scored three goals in eight games played for United in the 2022/2023 season. When compared to several of Southgate's wingers, Sancho's recent performance is no less good.
Jordan Henderson
Position: Midfielder
Age: 32 years old
Club: Liverpool
Henderson has long been part of the England squad. In fact, he was one of the captain candidates when his name entered the squad. It's just that lately Henderson's charm has started to fade.
Henderson was not called up by Southgate in the June 2022 edition. Henderson again did not get a call in this edition. Southgate's decision to leave Henderson made perfect sense given the midfielder's injury.
Ben White
Position: Center back/Right defender
Age: 24 years old
Club: Arsenal
Ben White appeared convincing at the start of the 2022/2023 season. He played a crucial role in Arsenal's back line. Mikel Arteta has given White a new role, namely right-back.
However, for the right-back role, Ben White has a tough competitor. There is the name Reece James whose performance is very good. Then, there are still Kyle Walker and Alexander-Arnold who are always called Southgate.
Harvey Elliott
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19 years old
Club: Liverpool
The difficult situation that Liverpool at the start of the 2022/2023 season gave Elliott a 'blessing'. He's got a lot of playing time and has proven his quality. Elliott's performance is quite convincing.
Elliott has been involved in all six of Liverpool's Premier League games. Its performance is not stable, but promising. When compared to Calvin Phillips who became a reserve at Man City, the name Elliott might be considered.
Ryan Sessegnon
Position: Left back
Age: 22 years old
Club: Tottenham
Sessegnon is competing with Ivan Perisic for the left wingback role at Tottenham. Sessegnon has performed quite well and has so far been played by Antonio Conte more often than Perisic.
Sessegnon is in very good form. The former England Under-21 player deserves promotion to the senior team. Moreover, if you look at the conditions of Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, which are far from ideal at this time.
Marcus Rashford
Position: Forward
Age: 24 years old
Club: Manchester United
Rashford impressed at the start of the 2022/2023 season. He got a place in the United front line. Erik ten Hag has put his trust in Rashford to play the role of a centre-forward.
Only, Rashford had bad luck this week. He was injured and had to be out for the next few weeks. So, it is very natural that there is no Rashford name in the England squad list.
Jack Harrison
Position: Left midfielder
Age: 25 years old
Club: Leeds United
In addition to Sancho, Southgate also did not call Harrison who performed well for the role of left winger. Harrison has been an important part of the Leeds squad in the last three seasons.
In the 2022/2023 season, from the first six Premier League matches, Harrison made one goal and three assists. Harrison has never been called up to the England national team at senior level.
Max Kilman
Position: Central Defender
Age: 25 years old
Club: Wolverhampton
Max Kilman is not a popular name when compared to defenders called Gareth Southgate. However, in terms of performance, the Wolves academy dropout is in very good condition.
Max Kilman has played regularly with Wolves since the 2021/2022 season. He has never received a call-up to the England national team, even at the final level. Kilman is considered worth trying for Southgate after his good form this season at Wolves.
Jordan Pickford
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 28 years old
Club: Everton
Pickford has been the main choice under the British rule. He was the focus when England advanced to the final of Euro 2020. However, Pickford's performance at club level was not convincing enough.
Pickford has only recorded one clean sheet in six Premier League games. One aspect that is often highlighted by Pickford is his ability to anticipate long-range shots.
England National Team Player List
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Calvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney