Manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed most of England’s World Cup squad, but anything can happen between now and June, so spots could still be available for the rest of the season.
The January transfer window is just around the corner, and for some players this is their last chance to qualify for the World Cup. Next summer’s tournament across North America begins in just six months, and England are among the favorites to lift the trophy.
Thomas Tuchel’s team easily made it through the qualifying rounds, winning all eight games, scoring 22 goals and keeping a clean sheet. The German hasn’t made many cuts or changes to his squad since taking over, but there’s always the chance of someone forcing his way into the squad before a tournament.
That’s exactly what these seven players are aiming for in the second half of the season. From established international players to up-and-coming players, January can be a lifeline for players who are at a disadvantage at their current clubs.
Mirror Football has picked out seven promising England players who need a move to boost their World Cup hopes.
read more: England say they need ‘serious discussions’ about Jude Bellingham and Phil Fodenread more: FIFA launches discounted tickets for all World Cup matches for just £45 per match
raheem sterling
Despite being frozen out at Chelsea, there is no bigger name currently not in the England squad than Raheem Sterling. The 31-year-old has not featured in a competitive game since last season, during a memorable loan spell at Arsenal.
They say class is permanent, so Sterling definitely has the quality to play for England. But he will need to rediscover his form and find a new club if he wants to make a remarkable return to the team and play under the coach who took him to Chelsea in 2022.
Coby Mainu
The future of Koby Mainu, a man who has occupied more column inches in recent months than the rest of this list combined, is uncertain at Manchester United. According to reports, the midfielder wants to leave his boyhood club and manager Ruben Amorim has not made a single start in the Premier League this season.
Mainu was a notable newcomer at Euro 2024, coming on in the second half of the season and forcing a call-up from manager Gareth Southgate. He will aim to do exactly the same thing this time around, but it will likely be different to United.
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calvin phillips
The midfielder who shined at the European Championship is Kalvin Phillips, who was once an irreplaceable player on the England national team. However, the £45 million he paid for his move to Manchester City was the beginning of his downfall.
The former Leeds star missed pre-season after undergoing surgery in May but is still working his way back to fitness. Could a return to Elland Road next month be the way forward for Phillips?
conor gallagher
Another player who has known Tuchel from his time at Chelsea, Conor Gallagher, now plays for Atletico Madrid. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, it’s not that regular.
Gallagher has only played 90 minutes twice this season and was not called up to any of England’s three camps in the autumn. United have been linked with a loan move, but could Mainu’s departure be the key?
jadon sancho
This is a double whammy for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s men may thrive, but Jadon Sancho has struggled to make much of an impact and there is stiff competition for the wide forward position at international level.
The winger, who is often restricted to substitute appearances, will find it difficult to force his way into the squad when Villa are in this form, regardless of his involvement with the England squad. Having not featured for United this season, he would be eligible to play for the second team if Villa agree to end his loan, a decision that has been speculated over in recent weeks.
harvey elliott
8 minutes. This is the amount of time Harvey Elliott has been on the pitch since his last start for Villa in September, when he was hooked at half-time.
If this report is to be believed, Villa would have to pay Liverpool £35m to sign the two-time champion on a permanent contract for less than €21 if he were to play just five more games on loan. Elliott played twice for Liverpool before moving to Birmingham, so his best chance of reigniting the season would be if the Reds exercised their recall option.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Ending wildcard. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s last cap came against Kosovo in 2019 and he is currently training with Arsenal’s Under-21s as a free agent.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was released by Besiktas in August and is eyeing a return to the Premier League. The former Liverpool, Arsenal and Southampton ace feels he is gaining experience and must be dreaming of a fairy-tale return to the Three Lions squad.
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