In our weekly series, John Cross, the Mirror’s chief football writer, assesses England’s players after some interesting FA Cup showcases did not go to plan for several of the Three Lions’ star players.
Ben White returned to England squad and had a hot night against Southampton
Ben White must be wondering if it was worth it.
For three-and-a-half years, the Arsenal defender played happily without being heckled or even jeered by opposition fans. However, White was back in the spotlight as an England international. He was both a hero and a villain in the war against Uruguay. Not good against Japan.
But all the talk and the Wembley crowd put the boos back on the agenda – and sure enough, he was booed at Southampton. There’s really no reason. It made a bad day even worse for him and Miles Lewis-Skelly. They were poor and Noni Madueke failed to make an impression.
Cole Palmer received the armband from Chelsea after Enzo Fernandes’ disgrace, but it felt very pointed, Marc Cucurella also took a naughty step and even Moises Caicedo was on the bench.
It’s hard to tell after the game against Port Vale, but Palmer did well and may well have some upward momentum and positivity as he battles for a place in a crowded squad with Phil Foden.
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Manchester City’s Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly duo are in top form and are a force for good. I wish Foden was the same.
Guehi was one of this season’s signings, worth up to £30m, and has had a transformative impact on City’s defence. He was given the England armband for the match against Japan. This shows how much he has improved under Thomas Tuchel and has the potential to win the Treble and qualify for the World Cup.
What a season and year for this classy defender.
This week’s England player ratings
There is less than three months 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 we take a look at how England’s hopefuls fared this weekend and how likely they are to be ‘on the plane’ this summer, as chief football writer John Cross delivers his latest verdict on these selected players.
man city v liverpool
mark gehi
Match rating: 7
Another cool performance that resonated throughout Manchester City’s defense. His signing in January was a game-changer for City, who once again look top-flight.
Current form: 7/10
That’s amazing. He’s calm and collected on the ball and although he wasn’t very good in the last friendly against England and against Japan, he’s in great form overall.
England team rating: 9/10
The proof of his status at the World Cup under manager Thomas Tuchel was probably the fact that he wore the captain’s armband against Japan. A nail-biting starter.
Nico O’Reilly
Match rating: 8
Another great performance with an assist. He looks physically strong, and it was a powerful performance that conveyed the message that he is a starter in the World Cup.
Current form: 7/10
He wasn’t a great player for England, but who was? His development at City this season has been phenomenal. He looks strong and powerful. His progress has been amazing.
England team rating: 9/10
He has become a fixture in the team and is clearly ahead of Lewis Hall in the race to start at left-back.
Nico O’Reilly impresses again with impressive win over Liverpool (Image: 2026 Mark Atkins)
phil foden
Match rating: 6
Another all too short performance from the bench. This time it was only 19 minutes. That’s not happening because he seems to be lower down the pecking order.
Current form: 5/10
We didn’t get a chance against England and we didn’t get a chance against City either. I’m really worried.
England team rating: 5/10
It will be a shootout between Foden and Cole Palmer for the third No.10 role…and Palmer looks to be in pole position.
curtis jones
Match Rating: 7/10
Jones seems to be playing well when moving the ball from midfield to the attack. He looked bright at first, but just like Liverpool, he faded.
Current form: 6/10
mixture. He is struggling just as Liverpool are struggling and is far from a surefire starter.
England team rating: 4/10
do you remember him? Thomas Tuchel is not like that. It seems impossible for him as he was not included in the national team 35 for Japan and Uruguay.
This wasn’t the season Curtis Jones had hoped for (Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
Chelsea vs Port Vale
cole palmer
Match Rating: 7/10
Given the armband that marks his place at Chelsea (remember Enzo Fernandes is in a disgraceful position, Marc Cucurella also took a naughty step and a few others are missing). But it was done well and looked bright.
Current form: 6/10
mixture. He was better than Phil Foden during his time with England. He’s not at his best, but he’s finding his rhythm.
England team rating: 6/10
In a straight shoot-out with Phil Foden, Palmer appears to have the lead in the battle for number 10 spot.
Cole Palmer captained Chelsea during their quarter-final victory over Port Vale (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Southampton vs Arsenal
ben white
Match rating: 2/10
terrible. In Arsenal’s truly terrible performance and defeat against Southampton, White was one of the worst performers. His defense was poor and he couldn’t do anything with the overlap, but his mistakes led to the first goal.
Current form: 5/10
Arsenal’s form and performances were mixed, and England’s case mixed. He was both a hero and a villain in the war against Uruguay. Not good against Japan. Arsenal only get the odd chance. I’m not playing well.
England team rating: 5/10
Perhaps he could have ended the England camp in a better situation than when he started, but this was a huge setback. But now he’s being booed by every fan at every game. The situation in England thrust him back into the spotlight.
Miles Lewis-Skelly
Match Rating: 3/10
It’s not much better than white. Their defense was sloppy, their penetration into the midfield was ineffective, and the results throughout the game were disastrous, leaving people wondering, “What happened to Miles Lewis Skelly?”
Current form: 4/10
Despite underperforming for a while, he actually earned some praise during his Under-21 stint. However, he was back on the bad side against Southampton.
England team rating: 2/10
The ranking seems to have dropped considerably. It is impossible to see him board the plane unless there are numerous injuries.
Noni Maduke
Match Rating: 4/10
Although he was only a substitute, he may not have played after his injury for England, as he ran down dead ends and ran the ball out of play.
Current form: 6/10
Despite his poor performance at Southampton, Tuchel clearly likes the club and praised his performance against Uruguay despite his injury. However, his recent performance has been terrible.
England team rating: 7/10
Tuchel, and indeed Mikel Arteta, like his ability to unravel stubborn, low-blocking defenses, and perhaps that’s why he’s better than Jarrod Bowen. But that’s a tough decision.
west ham vs leeds
Jarrod Bowen
Match Rating: 7/10
Jarrod Bowen should have been man of the match but was West Ham’s fall guy in the FA Cup defeat. Bowen was great in many ways, leading his team, forcing good saves and hitting the post twice. However, he was unable to lead his team to victory and was unable to participate in the shootout as West Ham were eliminated.
Current form: 7/10
good. He has been in great form in recent weeks and has led by example, even though West Ham will likely be missing one player to keep them afloat.
England chances: 7/10
It’s a choice between him and Noni Madueke for the right wing spot behind Bukayo Saka. He’s a close race, and it’s going to be a fight until the final week.
England player ratings – Likelihood of getting on a plane
After last week’s international and four FA Cup draws, let’s take a look at how the situation in relevant positions stacks up, including players who are currently on planes, players who still have work to do, and players who are experiencing World Cup heartbreak.
goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford 10 Dean Henderson 9 James Trafford 8 Aaron Ramsdale 7 Jason Steele 6
defender
Mark Gehi 9 Ezri Konsa 9 John Stones 8 Dan Byrne 7 Trevor Chalobah 6 Harry Maguire 6 Jarel Quansah 6 Fikayo Tomori 4
right full back
Reece James 9 Tino Libramento 8 Ben White 5
left full back
Nico O’Reilly 9 Lewis Hall 8 Jed Spence 6
midfielder
Declan Rice 9 Elliot Anderson 9 Jordan Henderson 7 Koby Mainu 7 James Garner 7 Adam Wharton 6 Alex Scott 5
No.10s
Morgan Rogers 9 Jude Bellingham 9 Cole Palmer 6 Eberechi Eze 6 Phil Foden 5
right wing
Bukayo Saka 9 Jarrod Bowen 7 Noni Maduke 7
left wing
Marcus Rashford 8 Anthony Gordon 8
strikers
Harry Kane 10 Ollie Watkins 7 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6 Dominic Solanke 6 Danny Welbeck 6
England’s 2026 World Cup kit
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my squad
Goalkeeper 3: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.
Defender 8: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Mark Guehi, Tino Libramento, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Lewis Hall.
Midfield 7: Jude Bellingham, Elliott Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, James Garner, Alex Scott, Koby Mainu.
Forward 8: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen.
My England starting XI: Pickford. James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly. Anderson, Rice. Saka, Bellingham, Rashford. Kane.
Do you agree with John Cross? Share your opinion on the England national team’s slider below, both internally and externally.
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