England player ratings: John Cross examines the latest England player ratings in a weekly series ahead of this summer’s World Cup, ranking every star on their chances of breaking into Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
In a World Cup year, one wrong move can mean losing your seat on the plane.
It could be an injury, it could be a lack of form, or most importantly, it could be a transfer. That could certainly have a huge negative impact on England players looking to break into the team or start.
There is no better example than James Trafford. No doubt there was a feeling within the Football Association that he was the keeper to challenge Jordan Pickford.
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First and foremost a good keeper. Big save possible. I was able to play with my feet. All round package.
Trafford made the move last summer to strengthen England’s chances, but could have ended up ruining them.
Newcastle were keen, but Trafford went to Manchester City to become Josep Guardiola’s new number one after Ederson, and saw a huge opportunity suddenly open up at the Premier League’s most successful club.
However, after some tenacious early performances, City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma and Trafford was demoted to No2 and cup keeper.
Trafford said after City’s FA Cup win over Salford City: “I never expected a situation like this to happen, but it happened so we just have to get on with it.”
The current reality is that Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson is second in England’s pecking order and Trafford will need to scrap it to make Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale the team’s third choice.
Manchester City’s James Trafford made a rare start in the FA Cup at the weekend (Image: (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images))
If Pope maintains his position, Newcastle could realistically finish ahead of Trafford despite the keeper’s lack of footing.
The other three players who made headlines after their performances at the weekend were Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and City’s Phil Foden.
Jones started against Brighton, scored and showed that he is adept at getting the ball into attack from midfield.
Foden received very mixed reviews after City’s win over Salford City. Some people liked him. Some things are not so great. But obviously, he came on as a substitute and Antoine Semenyo came on at the same time.
Guardiola later said: “With Phil, it’s zero, zero, zero, zero, zero.” At least that was resolved.
Lewis Hall was really good for Newcastle against Aston Villa. He is tenacious, strong and has great presence as a left-back.
This week’s England player ratings
In a new weekly series, chief football writer John Cross gives his assessment of the England players in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.
There is less than four months left until England manager Thomas Tuchel has to select his final England squad for this summer’s World Cup, and there is intense competition for almost every position.
Here, John Cross gives his latest verdict on these selected players and how likely they are to be ‘on the plane’ this summer.
You have a chance to express your opinion in the article. Please join us. You can read last week’s reviews below.
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james trafford
Match Rating: 7/10.
You might have thought it would be a quiet afternoon against Salford City at home in the FA Cup.
Anything else. Trafford made some good saves but were kept busy as Salford played well and put the pressure on and won by a narrow 2-0.
This was a decent audition for City’s No2 keeper.
Current form: 6/10
He just doesn’t get enough opportunities. Even if he participates in domestic cup matches, he will not be given enough playing time or games to prove himself. That’s a big concern for him right now.
And the other reality is that you can see why City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma – he’s the better all-round package.
England team rating: 6/10
Jordan Pickford has confirmed his first choice. Dean Henderson is now undoubtedly England’s No.2. And Trafford is in the mix with Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale. No more. I’m just mixing.
curtis jones
Match Rating: 8/10
The cards on the table…I really like Curtis Jones. He showed why against Brighton in the FA Cup. He was good on the ball, always busy, always available, always moving forward. He scored and made things happen.
Current form: 6/10
This price is not too high simply because there is competition for midfield positions at Liverpool and his availability is limited. It’s simple. But he made a difference when he came on and took the opportunity to start well.
England team rating: 6/10
Not too long ago, he was England’s great hope. A player who can attack by pushing the ball forward from midfield. It’s even more competitive now. But he’s still in it.
Curtis Jones is battling to break back into the England squad in the summer (Image: (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))
phil foden
Match rating: 6
It was very complicated and in the end he came on as a substitute when City needed to win the game. I feel like Antoine Semenyo came in and pushed him down the order.
He needed to see the ball more and make things happen.
Current form: 6/10
That’s worrying. After his recent purple spot, he has returned to being a more regular substitute when other players are healthy. It’s a real shame because he’s a very talented and great football player.
England team rating: 7/10
His versatility may be what gives him the edge, as he can drift in from wide areas and also play as a number 10, with Tuchel referring to him as a false nine.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match between Manchester City and Salford City on February 14, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)(Image: (Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images))
lewis hall
Match rating: 7
He really caught my eye. He was raiding up and down the wing. His tackles are strong and his attacks are dangerous. He was definitely one of Newcastle’s better players.
Current form: 6/10
He comes at the right time. He’s a player who had some bad luck with injuries and timing, but he’s in good shape now.
England team rating: 8/10
He is pushing hard for one of the two left-back spots alongside Nico O’Reilly. The only question will be whether Dan Byrne is considered capable of playing at left-back or centre-back. But Hall is younger, more mobile and more traditional.
Do you agree with John Cross? Tune in or out of the England team slider below and let us know what you think…
Evaluation of England players
Here’s John Cross’ latest assessment of each player’s chances of being selected for England (ranked on a 10-point scale)
Players are ranked by position.
goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford: 10/10 Dean Henderson 8/10 Nick Pope 6/10 James Trafford 6/10 Aaron Ramsdale 3/10
Jordan Pickford is in pole position to be England’s starting goalkeeper this summer (Image: (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images))
right full back
Reece James 9/10 Trent Alexander-Arnold 6/10 Rico Lewis 4/10 Ben White 3/10
left full back
Nico O’Reilly 9/10 Lewis Hall 8/10 Tino Libramento 6/10 Luke Shaw 6/10 Jed Spence 6/10 Miles Lewis-Skelly 3/10 Jack Hinshelwood 2/10
central defender
Ezri Konsa 9/10 Mark Gehi 9/10 Jarrell Quansah 8/10 John Stones 7/10 Dan Byrne 7/10 Trevor Chalobah 7/10 Harry Maguire 6/10 Jarrad Branthwaite 4/10 Levi Colwill 3/10
Marc Guehi is set to join the England squad this summer (Image: (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images))
Check out the latest episode of “Make Football Great Again” below.
midfielder
Elliott Anderson 10/10 Declan Rice 10/10 Jordan Henderson 9/10 Koby Mainu 7/10 Curtis Jones 6/10 Adam Wharton 6/10 Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10 Conor Gallagher 5/10 Mason Mount 4/10 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3/10
right forward
Bukayo Saka 9/10 Noni Maduke 7/10 Jarrod Bowen 7/10
left forward
Anthony Gordon 8/10 Marcus Rashford 8/10 Eberechi Eze 6/10
No10s
Morgan Rogers 9/10 Jude Bellingham 9/10 Phil Foden 7/10 Cole Palmer 7/10
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Morgan Rodgers of Aston Villa in action during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion on February 11, 2026 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. (Photo credit: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
strikers
Harry Kane 10/10 Ollie Watkins 8/10 Dominic Solanke 6/10 Danny Welbeck 6/10 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/10 Liam Delap 5/10
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