England may be top of Group F, but Gareth Southgate will go into the international break knowing there’s a whole lot more riding on the Three Lions’ upcoming games.
Southgate has undoubtedly inherited a mess, on and off the pitch.
As his side prepare to face Scotland and Spain, however, he hasn’t exactly aided his cause for the permanent job. Rather than the promised cohort of his old under-21 players, he’s opted for the same old faces, many of whom just shouldn’t even be there.
Take a look at BBC Sport for the full squad.
Jack Wilshere
Wilshere has admittedly been in good form for Bournemouth, but he only played his first 90 minutes in two years a fortnight ago against Spurs.
Harry Kane
The Tottenham striker’s played 70 minutes of football in nearly two months and while he did score the penalty against Arsenal – he loves a goal in a North London Derby – he was obviously lacking sharpness elsewhere.
Kyle Walker
If Southgate watched the Arsenal vs. Spurs game, he’ll have noticed Walker looked unfit too. Another player who could really do with the rest.
Jamie Vardy
Vardy has now gone 12 games without a goal. Leicester seem to have acknowledged they can’t ride last season’s highs forever, but the same should go for the forward.
Phil Jagielka
Everton’s 5-0 drubbing at Chelsea was just more confirmation that Jagielka is past it. It seems unlikely he’ll be Southgate’s first choice, but his inclusion has raised a few eyebrows nonetheless. Charlie Austin is knocking at the door with eight goals, so you have to wonder what more he can do. Michail Antonio is another notable absentee.
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