England World Cup Specials

England striker Harry Kane will be carry the expectations of the nation once again at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Tottenham Hotspur striker won the Golden Boot with five goals to his name and will be looking to replicate similar form here, especially considering the fact that England faces the likes of Iran, USA and Wales in Group B.

Raheem Sterling was influential in England’s groundbreaking run to the final of Euro 2020, as the Chelsea forward bagged three goals, doing so against the likes of Croatia, the Czech Republic and Germany.

With England reaching the semi-final stages of the World Cup in Russia and the final of Euro 2020, Gareth Southgate’s men will be expected to go far once again in Qatar.

Three Lions captain Kane has scored five headed goals in 15 Premier League appearances so far this season for Spurs.

Kane’s former Tottenham teammate Kieran Trippier has been in superb for Newcastle United since joining the Magpies in January, having found the back of the net three times in 21 Premier League appearances, with each of these goals coming from outside the penalty area.

There has been plenty of speculation about Manchester United defender Harry Maguire’s form and career of late, however, the 29-year-old Sheffield-born centre-back was selected by Southgate following some terrific performances for England at previous international competitions.

Maguire is always a threat from set pieces due to his height. The ex-Hull and Leicester defender has scored a total of 11 Premier League goals in his career, with seven of them being headers. For England, the United man has bagged seven times in 48 caps, a very good record for a defender that doesn’t take set pieces.

With England entering this tournament without a win in their last six matches, there is a lot of pessimism from some of the Three Lions fan base heading into the World Cup.

During this time, England suffered a shock relegation in the Nations League in League A Group 3, finishing behind the likes of Germany, Hungary and Italy - during this time, the Three Lions suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to the Magyars on home soil.

The last time England failed to progress through a group stage at an international tournament was under the management of Roy Hodgson at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil - where they lost to Italy and Uruguay, whilst only managing a draw with the competition's surprise package, Costa Rica.

Argentina are one of the favourites to make it to the World Cup final, having won Copa America last year at the expense of Brazil, whilst hammering Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima last summer at Wembley Stadium.

With this being Lionel Messi’s last World Cup at the age of 35, there is every chance that the PSG forward will be looking to win the only trophy that has eluded him in his career. Argentina are currently on an unbeaten run of 35 matches heading to Qatar.

England will be hoping that their two close misses at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 will inspire them to glory in Qatar, especially considering the fact that this is a side that have consistently played with one another at international level, whilst also growing in quality.

Something that could potentially help the likes of Southgate out is England’s lack of absences due to injuries, on top of the fact that the Three Lions have not had to play out a gruelling 38-game Premier League campaign on top of other cup competitions prior to the tournament in Qatar.

Germany showed signs of weakness in the Nations League, as Die Mannschaft should have really won League A Group 3 but for some very inconsistent performances.

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Germany crashed out in the group stages behind the likes of Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. With key players such as Toni Kroos and Marco Reus absent, whilst Timo Werner is ruled out of the World Cup through injury, perhaps Hansi Flick’s men could struggle against Spain, Costa Rica and Japan.

As previously mentioned, England captain Kane is the current holder of the Golden Boot following his five goals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The 29-year-old will have the added motivation of this being a chance to win his first career trophy, whilst also being in touching distance of breaking Wayne Rooney’s all-time England goalscoring record - the Spurs striker is just two goals shy of the former Everton and Manchester United striker.

Jordan Pickford was arguably the goalkeeper of the tournament at Euro 2020, as the Everton shot-stopper kept five clean sheets and conceded the least goals of any goalkeeper at the tournament.

In achieving the aforementioned feat, Pickford set a new England record as he became the first England goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in all five games of a European Championship, whilst also breaking 1966 hero Gordon Banks’ record, as he didn’t concede a goal in over 720 minutes in that run.

The final special on this list is for England to win the World Cup and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham to win the Golden Ball.

As mentioned above, the Three Lions are one of the favourites heading into this competition due to their performances at the World Cup in 2018 and at Euro 2020.

Dortmund man Bellingham is a player that is widely renowned as one of the best young talents in world football right now. The 19-year-old has even captained the Signa Iduna Park club and is in superb form, having scored nine goals and created three assists in 22 appearances this campaign.