In our weekly series, chief football writer John Cross gives his latest England player ratings for Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.
John Cross shares his latest assessment of England players after the North London derby
Bukayo Saka is one of the first names on England’s team sheet. But it’s safe to say that this hasn’t been a vintage season so far, according to Saka’s own very high standards.
But the Arsenal winger returned to his best form in Sunday’s north London derby win against Tottenham. Saka was great in the armband as he set the tone and showed great personality and a leadership side of his game that perhaps doesn’t get enough credit.
He is part of Arsenal’s coaching group and has been a leader for England under Gareth Southgate, and will be someone current players look up to. To name the first names on the sheet… Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Jordan Pickford and Mark Gehi.
There’s another player on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup list… Ezri Konsa. The England manager loves him and Elliott Anderson is no different.
But even those two are not in England’s six untouchables. Saka will always help the Three Lions if they are looking for stability and reliability.
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.
You will have the opportunity to express your opinion in the article, so please participate.
Bukayo Saka
Match Rating: 8/10
He shined, he made things happen, he led by example, and he had his best performance in a while. It was a performance that sent a real message that Arsenal were back in title contention, and Saka set the tone.
Current form: 6/10
mixture. He has a new contract to celebrate and he is an asset to Arsenal. But if you’re as good as him and as trustworthy as he is, that creates very high standards.
England team rating: 9/10
There’s no doubt he’s in the team and the starting lineup doesn’t care about the team. He is one of England’s untouchables.
Bukayo Saka scored and assisted in England’s World Cup qualifying match.
Declan Rice
Match Rating: 6/10
His mistake – an extremely rare mistake – led to Tottenham’s equalizer, but it ended up being more of a mediocre game than an outstanding one for Arsenal’s midfield mainstay. You could see his determination and desire to make things right – and he did.
Current form: 6/10
England’s biggest worry about Rice will be whether he tires or runs out of energy. He’s played so many games and always plays with so much heart and intensity and energy. What a player. He will definitely be Arsenal’s player of the year and if Arsenal win the title he should be player of the year.
England team rating: 9/10
He is firmly established in England’s starting XI. He is full of energy and power. He will be England’s driving force in the US.
Declan Rice is expected to play a key role in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad
Eberechi Eze
Match Rating: 8/10
oh. This was a game-changing performance. Two goals, a spectacular play where he covered every blade of grass and one quality goal. He wears number 10 and is relishing his central role. Anything else is a compromise. Give him a chance – and he will accept it.
Current form: 6/10
Although he performed well against Wigan in the FA Cup, he was dropped by Wolves as manager Arteta selected Bukayo Saka as No. 10 and chose a winger over Eze, who felt like he was at his lowest point as a specialist. Fair play to Eze who proved his point against Tottenham on Sunday.
England team rating: 6/10
It will be a very tough decision as Eze will have to be included in the number 10 squad, rather than being either a left winger or a central player. But number 10 is a crowded market with Eze, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rodgers, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and perhaps even Morgan Gibbs-White. Bellingham and Rodgers are the only places that seem certain, and there may only be one other.
Mikel Arteta still doesn’t see Eberechi Eze as a surefire starter at Arsenal
Jed Spence
Match rating: 5/10.
This was a big deal. He played as a left wing-back and Saka, as the saying goes, toasted him. They were overwhelmed from a defensive standpoint and had few chances to get forward.
Current form: 6/10
He sees every corner of a struggling team’s players struggling for confidence. His chances of qualifying seem to be dwindling with each passing week.
England team rating: 5/10
He was the first to be promoted to the team due to his momentum and form. Without that drop in momentum and form, he’s fading quickly. Even his bonus of filling in on either flank doesn’t seem to matter that much anymore.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Jed Spence has yet to score or assist this season.
conor gallagher
Match rating: 5/10.
We were unable to attack Arsenal’s midfield. Gallagher, who was left chasing the shadow, was brought in to close the distance and frustrate him, but he could never grasp it. Tottenham’s unique ‘dogs of war’ had no bite.
Current form: 6/10
Another person who is struggling in a team that is in decline. The team looks a little better, but any player would struggle at this rate.
England team rating: 4/10
His only purpose in returning to the Premier League was to play more regularly and play English football to gain the speed and physicality needed for the World Cup. And so far it is far from the required level.
Conor Gallagher signed for Tottenham in the January transfer window in a deal worth £34 million.
Do you agree with John Cross? Tune in or out of the England team slider below and let us know what you think…
Full assessment 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
right full back
Reece James 9/10 Trent Alexander-Arnold 7/10 Rico Lewis 4/10 Ben White 2/10
left full back
Nico O’Reilly 9/10 Lewis Hall 8/10 Tino Libramento 6/10 Luke Shaw 6/10 Jed Spence 5/10 Miles Lewis-Skelly 2/10 Jack Hinshelwood 2/10
central defender
Mark Gehi 9/10 Ezri Konsa 9/10 Jarrell Quansah 8/10 Dan Byrne 7/10 John Stones 6/10 Trevor Chalobah 6/10 Harry Maguire 6/10 Jarrad Branthwaite 3/10 Levi Colwill 3/10
midfielder
Declan Rice 9/10 Elliott Anderson 9/10 Jordan Henderson 9/10 Koby Mainu 7/10 Curtis Jones 6/10 Adam Wharton 6/10 Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10 Conor Gallagher 4/10 Mason Mount 3/10 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
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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